THE SUM OF ALL MY PARTS

Vas Saranga is an actor, editor, writer and director who was born in Calgary and raised in Toronto.

At a young age, Vas set his sights on starring in movies like his childhood idol Michael J. Fox. His first big break came when he was cast in a lead role on TVO’s A World Of Wonders followed soon after by a supporting role in American Pie Presents: Beta House starring Eugene Levy. His breakout role was in the Disney XD series Aaron Stone and he became widely known for his starring role as Reese in Teletoon’s live-action animation hybrid Mudpit in which he also had the opportunity to let his musical talents shine by recording an album of songs featured in the show.

Vas has amassed a significant body of work in several film and television productions including The Handmaid’s Tale, Transplant and Firestarter alongside Zac Efron, among others.

Outside of acting, he enjoys documentary and portrait photography and has also written and directed dozens of popular digital comedy shorts, has written a sitcom pilot for which he won the Writers Guild Of Canada Diversity Script of the Month award, and recently completed writing his third feature film script.

Name: Vas Saranga. Vas is short for Vasanth which means spring. My great-grandfather on my mom’s side was named Srinivasan. From that, my grandfather suggested Vasan, which then became Vasanth, and of course, Vas for short.

Currently: I have a starring role in You’re My Hero on CBC Gem. It’s a super funny and heartfelt show about an unfiltered 20-something guy named Ian who has cerebral palsy. He navigates the social pressures of life in a world not designed for wheels. I play Eric, his best friend and roommate. Eric is a super immature guy – the kind of best friend that asks for a lot of favours, and the kind of roommate that doesn’t do any chores. The show is getting great reviews! 

Favourite colour: Blue.

Favourite designer: Massimo Dutti.

Favourite Bollywood star: Hrithik Roshan.

Favourite Hollywood star: Denzel Washington. 

Favourite movie: Back to the Future 1.  

Favourite singers: The Black Keys, Oasis, Coldplay. 

Favourite song: Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis.  

Favourite TV show: Succession.

Favourite ice cream flavour: Cookies & Cream. 

Favourite food: Pizza (Margherita).

Favourite restaurant: Giordano’s in Chicago.  

Favourite sport: Baseball.  

Favourite sportsperson: Roberto Alomar.

Favourite book: The Intent To Live by Larry Moss.   

Favourite activity: Dinner and a movie.

I hang out: At home a lot.

I’m freaked out by: Large insects.

I need: To write to flex my full creative muscles. 

I want to be: Involved with the growth of other artistes. 

My role model: My wife. She approaches everything with kindness.

Tips to save the planet: Compost and recycle, damn it! Some people just have straight up garbage bins at the curb and nothing else.  

In a perfect world: We’d all just get along. 

Be a Desi Star!  If you’d like Desi News readers to ‘meet’ you, call 416-695-4357 or e-mail desinews@rogers.com to arrange a photo session! It’s fun and it’s free!