Exclusive: Why Paramvir Cheema Says ‘Sapne vs Everyone’ Was His Most Painful Yet Powerful Role

Paramvir Cheema has emerged as one of the most versatile talents of recent times, making a mark with every project be it the intense Tabbar, the musical vibrance of Chamak, or the emotional honesty of Sapne vs Everyone. His latest appearance in Black Warrant, India’s biggest prison drama, further reinforces his strong screen presence. With Chamak Season 2 now streaming on SonyLiv and a major role lined up in Border 2, Cheema’s journey is on a steady upward arc.

In a recent interview, we caught up with the actor to talk about his evolving choices, the emotional weight of certain roles, the unfair advantage of follower counts, and the importance of staying grounded.

Q: You’ve been part of stories that stand out, playing characters that leave an impact. Is that a conscious decision now?

Cheema shared that, initially, it wasn’t. “When Tabbar came to me, I was simply looking for work. It had been a while without any projects, so I took it up without overthinking—and thankfully, it worked out. Tabbar became a massive hit and gave me visibility.”

Now, however, he approaches roles with clear intention. “These choices are conscious. I work with a team, and every decision is made carefully. We look at what the story is offering, what the character is saying, and who we’re collaborating with.”

He also opened up about his admiration for filmmaker Mohit Duwania. “I always wanted to work with Mo sir. So when Sapne vs Everyone came along, it felt special. It was supposed to be a web release on YouTube, and then Prime Video picked it up. I never expected it to receive such love,” he said. “Even today, people get emotional when they talk to me about that character.”

Q: Between Black Warrant, Chamak, and Sapne vs Everyone—which role was the toughest to pull off, and why?

Without hesitation, Cheema pointed to Sapne vs Everyone. “It wasn’t hard from a technical acting point of view, but emotionally, it was heavy. I was playing a struggling actor, and I knew people from the industry—my own peers—would watch it. I had to get it right. If even one person felt disconnected, that would’ve been a problem. That pressure was real.”

On the other hand, Chamak came with its own set of challenges. “Performance-wise, playing a rockstar was tough—especially with the music, body language, and that energy. But in terms of personal pressure, Sapne vs Everyone definitely stands out.”

Q: This industry often sees popularity and networking overpower talent. How do you deal with that?

Cheema didn’t hold back. “Honestly, it feels very strange and unfair at times. I’ve spent years honing my craft, and suddenly people say things like, ‘You don’t have enough Instagram followers.’ At one point, I was really frustrated by it.”

He acknowledged the growing trend of creators-turned-actors being cast based on their online reach. “I’m not saying creators don’t have talent, but acting is a different ballgame. It requires discipline, depth, and understanding of the craft.”

Despite this, he believes the industry eventually self-corrects. “Sure, people may experiment with casting based on social media numbers, but audiences can tell. At the end of the day, it’s talent that sustains. That’s the real track—talent. No matter how far you drift, you always return to it.”

Q: In a world overwhelmed by social media and constant noise, what helps you stay grounded?

For Cheema, it all comes down to his roots. “My family, my hometown, my friends—they keep me grounded. Whenever I leave Bombay and go back home, it resets everything for me.”

He shared how his old friends continue to treat him the same way, no matter how much fame he gains. “People say success changes you, but so far, no one has told me I’ve changed. That’s something I value deeply.”

Q: What’s next for Paramvir Cheema?

The actor recently wrapped up shooting for Wanderer 2 and is working on a film with acclaimed filmmaker Anand L Rai. While he couldn’t reveal much about it, he shared his excitement. “It’s a big one, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

But the project he seems most thrilled about is Border 2. “The shoot was amazing—lots of action. And working with Anurag sir, who’s also from Jalandhar like me, was like checking off a dream from my wishlist,” he smiled.