The Bad Boy of Indian TV

Vatsal Sheth started his acting career with the television series ‘Just Mohabbat’. He made his film debut in ‘Taarzan: The Wonder Car’ and went on to do many films after that. He returned to TV with the hit show ‘Ek Hasina Thi’. Vatsal speaks about his new serial ‘Rishton Ka Saudagar – Baazigar’ on Life OK and his role “Aarav Trivedi” in the show

Tell us about the role?
Aarav Trivedi is a strong and orthodox role. Most of the time in television we see female revenge plots, but here it is a male revenge show. It is a different role with lots of shades and it’s intriguing too.

This show looks similar to other shows. What is your take on this?
This is a very different show from what you saw on television before. Aarav has got different shades. He arranges his marriage in a grand manner and then he romances, but suddenly he breaks the marriage. He mocks his relationship with his father. The show is unique and not similar to any other show.

Everyone is comparing Aarav with Shourya from ‘Ek Hasina Thi, any comments?
Shourya was a negative character. Aarav is not negative. He doesn’t believe in relations. He breaks up relationships because for him kinships don't matter. He feels everybody in the world is quite selfish. That is why he doesn’t get close with his girlfriend, love interest and his father too.

‘Baazigar’ airs at the same slot that has already been occupied by popular shows like ‘Ye Hai Mohabbatein’ and ‘Sasural Simar Ka’. Aren’t you scared that such tough competition might affect your show?
Competition is always good you know. Life Ok channel never had a 7:30 pm slot. Yes, we have a lot of difficulties and great competition from all across general entertainment channels. What is the point, when you don’t have competition? It’s always a great fun. When you stand in a race, you will give your best.

Do you think if this show would have been on any other channel then it would have grabbed more eyeballs?
It just started 2 weeks ago. Yes, if it would be on another channel then it may have caught more eyeballs. But every channel is different from another. But that’s how it works.

What do you have to say about your co-star Ishita Dutta?
She is a fantastic actress. She is pretty chilled out, easy going. We have a great rapport on sets. It’s great fun shooting with her.

Recently, you and Ishita signed a no-dating contract, which created much buzz in the industry. What is your take on this matter?
Well, we are not allowed to talk about our contracts. I don’t know why people are making a big deal of it. It’s not like government rule that is passed. It is a contract between two people. It is a contract between me and my producer. I and my director and rest are ok with it. So I signed it. Somebody else doesn’t feel right then they shouldn’t sign it. I’m doing the show because I really liked the character and the story. That is why I’m part of it. As you said, yes it created a lot of buzz, but I would say if you are not ok with the term, you wouldn’t have negotiated it.

Coming back to ‘Baazigar...’ why does Aarav break his marriage on the wedding day?
Well, the truth should be revealed pretty soon (Laughs). I think in this coming week or a few days later. As I said before, he got lots of shades and that what makes the show outstanding. Initial 4-5 episodes you people saw him as a different guy and no one would expect that he would break his marriage in such a way. Pretty lovey-dovey scenes were going on between Aarav and Arundati. But suddenly he turns into a grey shade. That comes as a shock for the viewers. And there are many shocks down the line too.

When are we going to see your romantic side in ‘Baazigar’?
I would love to do something romantic. As an actor, I want to do everything. In films I did romance. When I got television, I was pretty excited. Now when I got Aarav Trivedi, I’m more interested in showcasing my romantic side. Maybe not now, but definitely in future viewers will see my romantic side too.

Are you dating someone or intend to get married?
No. At this moment I am pretty much involved in my show and work. Actually, I don’t have time for dating or marriage. We shoot for 12 hours and three hours go in travelling. We hardly give time for family.

By: Abhyudaya Karamchetu