Actor Saanand Verma, who is known for his performances in movies like Mardaani, Raid, and Chhichhore, and is currently seen in Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain!, will soon be seen in web series First Copy. The series revolves around the impact of film piracy in India. Talking about his character, he said, “I play the right-hand man of a very big film producer from Bollywood, played by Ehsaan Grover. My character works closely with him—he’s the go-to guy, the problem-solver. In the story, the producer becomes a victim of piracy. A film he didn’t even release gets leaked, and that sparks off a huge conflict. I have more scenes in Season 2, but my arc begins in Season 1. The role is interesting because it’s layered with real industry dynamics.” The story of First Copy focuses on the pirated films of the’80s and ’90s that made it to people’s home through VCRs, and though the actor never really became a part of the culture, it did leave an impression on him. The series resonated with his real life experience and the culture he grew up witnessing. He said, “I’ve seen what piracy did to cinema in the ’90s. I might not have watched movies at home on VCRs, but I’ve seen neighbors and people in the mohalla watch pirated VHS tapes in big groups—50, 60, even 100 people gathered in one house, watching films back-to-back the entire night. They used to rent VCRs, watch three films in one go, and return the device the next morning.” “That frenzy, that underground film culture, I’ve witnessed it. So when this story came to me, I felt a strong personal connect,” he added. Saanand explained that the title First Copy in simple terms means a duplicate or pirated version of an original. He said, “Like you have a Rolex watch worth ₹5 lakh, and a fake version of it sells for ₹5,000—that’s the first copy. In cinema, when a film meant for theatres is copied and distributed illegally for home viewing, that’s the ‘first copy’. The title is rooted in that reality, but the show itself is original.” The series will also see Munawar Faruqui, who is making his acting debut, and Saanand is all praise of the comedian. Calling Munawar one of the best co-actors he has worked with, he said, “He’s intelligent, funny, and really sharp. You won’t believe it’s his first time acting in a fictional series—he was so natural, like he’s been doing it for 25 years. There was no nervousness, he was fully immersed in his character.” “Working with him was pure joy. And because of this show, we’ve also become really good friends. I truly admire him—not just as an artist, but as a person. He’s got charm, humility, and a brilliant sense of humor,” Saanand added.