MUSBA HASHMI chats up Bigg Boss 11 fame actor PRIYANK SHARMA who talks about his new show and his experiences so far
What attracted you to play Rahat?
The reason I chose PunchBeat was that it is entirely based on boxing and I have never done that before. Also, my character Rahat is exactly opposite to what I am in real life so it was a great learning experience for me. It is always easy to play yourself, but when you are asked to play something which is completely different from your real self so that becomes a challenge. And I love taking up challenges, break my own limitations and take a step ahead.
How hard was it for you to get into the shoe of the character?
It was very hard because I had to forget what I am and behave in a certain manner. Since, I am portraying a 17-year old, so I can't be intense, I had to be kiddish and keep in mind the beauty of playing a teenager. This was a challenge for me because I am 26 aur mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ki ab yeh kaisey karun. It's not that I am not young, but I am not a teenager anymore, so I had to learn how a teenager behaves in different situations. I had to observe Khushi -- our co-actor because she is 20, so I learned from her the anger that teenagers have, how emotional and anxious they can be sometimes, and how they feel when they are sidelined. Boxing was also a challenge, I took training for boxing for months and in between I got injured while shooting a scene. It was very difficult for me to figure out how to do things with my leg injury, but then I managed to do everything and all my hard work paid off.
How has your journey been so far?
It was a crazy journey full of ups and downs. When I came out from Roadies I have given auditions for Ranbir's character in PunchBeat but after I came out of Splitsvilla I got Rahat because Vikas felt that I can play both at the same time. I didn't know what he meant that time but now I understand why he said all of that, because he found me conventional as an actor. I have seen my life also changing gradually when i was shooting PunchBeat because during that one and a half year my life has changed a lot -- from being a noone to whatever I am today. So, it has been a beautiful and a memorable journey.
How have things changed for you after Bigg Boss 11?
A lot of things have changed. A lot of doors have opened for me and I am trying to encash each and every door that comes my way. I remember last year this time I was shooting for Buzz and I kept my fingers crossed and Buzz became one of the biggest independent hits of the year. Now PunchBeat is happening and I am sure people will love it. I will not say that my body of work is too much, but jitna kiya hai people have appreciated that.
Do you think shows that addresses the issues of the youth has become an easy option for the makers?
I wouldn't say that it is easy at all. Because coming to a time when the makers are trying to set a benchmark and break the stereotype of how Indian audience is actually perceiving cinema so web is the platform where they are actually breaking it. With the help of these digital platforms you will see how the makers will break the pattern of work in movies and television. The good part is that people are adapting to it, it is happening gradually and I think within the next two years digital platforms will be at its peak.
What else is keeping you busy?
There is one project in the pipeline and its announcement will be made next month. I have also started learning beat-boxing, it is a part of hip-hop and I love hip-hop so I am learning. I workout and I will be soon coming with a clothing apparel so it is not just acting but I am focusing on other things as well this year.