“AFTER PLAYING LORD KRISHNA IN DWARKADEESH, I HAVE STARTED LOVING ACTING THOUGH EARLIER I WAS JUST PLAYING THE CHARACTERS AND NOT INVOLVED WITH MY WORK”

VISHAL KARWAL tell JYOTHI VENKATESH

How have you been spending time in lockdown?

I am back in my hometown in Palampur with my family. And wherever I am, I like to keep myself entertained. I read books. I do yoga and meditation. I work out at home and play table tennis and badminton with my family and keep myself busy.

Did you try to play the same character of Krishna in different ways in three different shows?

When I first played the character of Lord Krishna in Dwarkadheesh, I was very new to the role and to acting. I didn't know much of how I should go about it. But as years passed, I became more mature. I read a lot about the Lord Krishna and the more I understood the character the more I enjoyed the process. So, I think with every role I have become more mature and aware and that's what reflects on screen.

In what way were you different in terms of playing Lord Krishna as compared to the actors who had done it before you?

Whether it was Nitish Bharadwaj or Swapnil Joshi, every actor had done a brilliant job and there can be no comparison . When I first signed for Dwarkadheesh, I was asked by my producer to refer to a few shows. But I decided to do my own thing since I didn't want to imitate anyone. Even though it took me a while to settle in with the character, I think I brought my presence to it. We are all individuals and we are all different in our own way. I am glad that Dangal TV is re-airing Dwarkadheesh amidst this lockdown. I have been receiving positive messages and feedback for my role.

Did playing Krishna affect your image when you set out to do social films?

Not really, I mean in today's day and age with so much exposure to social media, the audience is aware of you as a person. So, I don't think that is there anymore. You can shift to different roles very easily.

Is there a big difference between playing mythological characters in 1980s and today?

Yes, of course. There were very few channels and hence less opportunities for the actors to choose from. The audience also connected with the character more than the actor, so it was very easy to get typecast back then. The creatives also offered similar roles to the actors so the artists didn't get a lot of variation. But now, believe me, the whole scenario has changed.

You are one of the very few people who did reality shows and went on to playing mythological shows!

Well, the journey was never planned. I belong to a business family; I am an engineer and also a trained pilot. I participated in my first reality show Roadies on MTV purely for the love of bikes. I went back to flying and then was offered another reality show-Splitsvilla on MTV again. That's how it all happened. I started with Roadies in 2006. Then I went on to finish my studies and flying and then came back to do Splitsvilla in 2008. Since then I've been in Mumbai.

How different is it in terms of acting to be a part of reality shows and daily soaps?

There is a very big difference. Yes, the creatives of the reality shows ask you to behave in a certain way but I was very clear that I had to be myself as they had signed me as Vishal Karwal and not as a character. We show our own personality in reality shows, whereas in daily soaps, you are bound to a character and the script and you can only play with that.

Were you never ever attracted towards acting?

Yes. Like I told you, it was never a part of the plan. I didn't think I'll be acting. I have never been to acting classes. It was in 2008 when I finished hosting another reality show. I was considering going back to flying but due to recession there weren't many opportunities. And on the other hand, I was getting offers for daily soaps so that's what I decided to pick.

How different is it to play a character in a social fiction and a mythological story?

There is a lot of difference. In mythological characters, the audience has an assumption of how the character will look, act, speak and behave. And hence it becomes an actor’s responsibility to stand on their expectations to be accepted. In daily soaps, you can play around with the character according to your understanding and interpretation. Before doing Dwarkadheesh, I was just playing the characters. I wasn't very sure of where I want to take this ahead. But after playing Lord Krishna, I started loving the process of acting. And after that show, I've been completely involved in all the work I have done.

Are you open to do web series or scared that they will require you to play sensual characters?

I am but I would like to associate myself with some good stories and platforms. I am not scared but I am uncomfortable with such zones. I have been getting offers for such roles but I have not been taking it up as it isn't my cup of tea. I would like to pick a good story and tell the audience. Some scripts do require some sleazy scenes for the script but some do it to attract the audience and I don't like that.

Are you focusing more on getting films?

I've never looked at things like that. I like to do things that come my way. Also, currently I am in my hometown in Himachal and I have always wanted to build a school here. So, that is what I am focusing on at the moment.

How did you bag Vikram Bhatt’s 1920 as your debut movie?

Well, I got a call from the production house for a meeting. I then went on to meet Vikram Bhatt and I think within a week I was zeroed in for the role.

Which directors are there on your wish list as an actor today?

I am a big fan of Imtiaz Ali sir. I have watched his movies a couple of times and I really love them. Zoya Akhtar is brilliant too. Sanjay Leela Bhansali makes larger than life films. No other director can make movies like he does. And I would love to be a part of something with Yashraj films and Dharma productions. I think they not only know how to make films but also know how to market them. Many good movies get dropped because they aren't released well. So, I think it is important to associate yourself as an actor with a good production house.

How have you grown as an actor over the years?

For this I think the audience is a better judge. But as an individual I think I am more confident now. I rarely go and check myself in the monitor. Once I perform a shot, I know what I have done. And if at all I am not satisfied, I ask for another shot but I don't like to check myself on the monitor. So I think I have become more confident and mature.

How happy are you with acting as your career considering it wasn't planned?

I don't like comparing myself with anyone. I think everyone has his own journey and there is always going to be someone better than you. But from being an engineer to a pilot and now coming this far as an actor, I am content with whatever I have been able to achieve. God has been very kind to me. And I am grateful too.

Who are your favorite actors and actresses?

I really like Nawazuddin Siddiqui because you can never judge what he's going to do next on screen. And actresses always keep changing but Kareena Kapoor and Preity Zinta have always been on my list of favorite actresses.

How was your interaction with Salman Khan when you took part in Bigg Boss 6?

He is very sweet and kind. One day after a shoot we were going back to our respective rooms and he was kind enough to call me back and asked me to have lunch with him.