Page 12 - Masala Lite Issue 176 August 2025

12 COVERED

Life’s a

STAGE

For multi-talented

Varin Sachdev,

the passion for media and
entertainment runs deep.

BY MAHMOOD HOSSAIN

When I tried to analyse

why I was doing what I was doing,
I simply had to look back and realise that
my family was one of the biggest
influences in storytelling and beyond. Life takes sudden twists.

Yes, you wouldn’t know, right? Until you’ve actually lived through it. You go to school,
choose your subject, and then you realise that this is not meant for you. Even though
you’ve done very well in school, it doesn’t mean that this is what you’ll do for the rest
here are those among us, from the early ages of adolescence, who show of your life. Your calling, your true calling, I think, comes at a certain stage in your life
shimmering signs of their exceptional talents yet to be brought to the fore. Then, when you feel the need to hold on to it.
at the sudden point of realisation, their true calling presents itself as a comet Growing up, I’ve been engaged with extracurricular activities, such as school plays
racing through the night sky of a galaxy of stars. And no matter what life tosses in when I was at Bharat Vidyalaya School. I would also emcee events, or take the role
the way of their eventual destination, they are determined to overcome any hurdle as vocal lead for the weekly Buddhism Prayers in front of the entire school after flag

and navigate every winding road just to manifest their dreams. I had the pleasure of hoisting. I’ve been training since childhood. I hadn’t pursued journalism, but the
conversing with one of these remarkable personalities, who can captivate a crowd skills were already there.
in more ways than one. Varin Sachdev, a thespian, voiceover artist, radio jockey, However, I grew up in a family where my grandmother and father were great storytellers
talk show host, master of ceremony, and university lecturer, has had the world of in their time. So, it’s been in the DNA as well. I remember whenever my friends used
media coursing through his veins. This natural born entertainer takes us through his to come over, my dad would tell the story of how he came from Peshawar, Pakistan,
illustrious journey through media with no signs of slowing down. and then settled in Thailand. He would repeat the story with the same zeal each time!
It used to amaze me. When I tried to analyse why I was doing what I was doing, I

You mentioned you’re from a finance background; how did you find yourself in simply had to look back and realise that my family was one of the biggest influences

the media? in storytelling and beyond.
I did my undergrad at Thammasat University, Faculty of Economics, and then You’ve worn many hats throughout your career. How has this evolution been for
immediately after graduation, I did my MBA at Chulalongkorn University, which you?

was in 1994. But I quickly realised corporate life was definitely not for me, and that’s I had been freelancing for quite some time, assignments changed often, and I never

when I decided to transition into media in 1995. I quit my full-time job as a financial had to commit myself to any particular contract for life. I started off as a business

analyst with Procter & Gamble because it didn’t fit well with what I was looking for talk show host. Then, came the opportunity to become a radio jockey. The station

after graduation. It didn’t serve my calling, sort of speak. So, I started off moonlighting was looking for Thai nationals who could speak fluent English. Being born with Thai

on the weekend for Nation Radio, and then one thing led to another. Once they knew as my first language, English being the second, followed by Hindi and Punjabi—it was

that I was available and doing a good job, they offered me the weekend slot at first, a natural fi t for me.
which eventually led to weekday slots. Then, from radio, the TV opportunity came
around a few months later. Would you consider that the turning point in your career?

Essentially, the network was searching for someone who could host a business talk As an RJ, an MC, an actor, and now a lecturer, it would have to be when I first appeared
show. And I had a background in economics and an MBA in finance. It couldn’t just on Thai television in 1996, shortly before I left for my second master’s degree. After

be anyone with a journalism background; someone had to have the business acumen working as a freelancer in the industry, I realised I needed another degree that was
and mindset to take the reins of the show. media-related; it only made sense. So, I applied for the Fulbright scholarship, which is
MASALA LITE ISSUE 176 - AUGUST 2025