Striking a chord with the audience

It was an unplanned Snapchat session with his nephew that introduced actor Ssumier Pasricha to the world of chat filters on the platform. Fascinated, he went on to make a video which went viral in no time, and led to the conceptualisation of ‘Pammi aunty’, the internet sensation who is always seen gossiping over phone in Punjabi with her friend, ‘Sarla behenji’.

“Before I even realised, the video went viral on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube, and became a global sensation. It was completely unplanned. Pammi aunty is an amalgamation of all the aunties, buas, nanis and others who I come across in daily life. So she is not just one person, but a mix of a lot of personalities,” says Pasricha, who has acted in TV show ‘Sasural Simar Ka’.

He says that his alter ego struck a chord with the audience because people know “how these old aunties talk”.

“And Pammi aunty talks the language of every household. I may be saying the lines in Punjabi, but my Marathi and other friends call me up saying they all have a Pammi aunty in their house who talk similarly. This is exactly why, I think, people are relating to it and enjoying... And even Rishi Kapoor started following me,” he tells Metrolife.

Talking about why he chose to make the videos in Punjabi, the artiste says it is because he relates to the culture very well.

Pasricha, however, admits that he tried making the videos in Hindi but they failed to tickle his funny bone.

But then, does he not fail to connect with those who do not understand the language? “I think the humour lies in the Punjabi nuances and dialogues I use. It is all about how old Punjabi women act, and I do not know how it would come out if I do it in any other language. I plan to use English subtitles, but have not got the time to do so,” he shares.

While Pasricha says that none of the videos are scripted and planned, he says that the hardest thing about being Pammi aunty is to think about new topics and presenting it in good humour that people can relate with.

But not everyone can take humour in their stride. So, has he ever faced flak for the content of his videos? “As Pammi aunty, I talk about every possible topic which she relates to, and yes there are times when I am trolled. This usually happens because people often get confused between her and me.

They forget that Pammi aunty is a 65-year-old lady who can talk about anything, and that people of her generation speak their mind. And this is what even Pammi aunty is. She has a view point; some people may like it and some won’t, but that it how she is. She is not Ssumier,” he elaborates.

On being asked about Pammi aunty’s confidant and gossip partner, and whether the audience will ever be introduced to her, Pasricha says, “‘Sarla behenji won’t come any day soon. Jis din Sarla behenji maan jayegi main unko le aunga’. So far she has been acting very pricey, so let me see when she agrees to come.”