VISHAL KARWAL, who plays Lord Krishna in Dwarkadheesh-Bhagwan Shri Krishna that airs on Dangal TV talks to SHALINI SAKSENA about how he got into acting, challenges that come with playing a mythological character, among other things
What got you interested in acting?
I have done engineering in Computer Science from Chandigarh. When I was in third year, I auditioned for MTV Roadies 4. Back then I was interested in bike riding. I gave the audition and got selected. I did that show and finished my course. I then went to Texas for a flying course. When I finished my flying, I got another call from MTV for Splitsvilla 1. I flew down straight from Dallas to Mumbai. I was told it would be a month’s shooting and a month’s promotion and then I could go back. But I won and they offered me another show to host. This was in 2008. Back then there weren’t many jobs in aviation. But I kept getting TV offers. I got Bhagyavidhaata and the rest of the shows followed. I had not planned to be an actor, they just happened.
So, you had a different trajectory?
Yes, I come from a business family. We have jewellery shows. From the very beginning, I was against doing things that were routine and go to one place. When I studied engineering, I knew that it was not my cup of tea. A friend of mine had applied for a flying course and that interested me and asked him how to go about applying for the same. The idea of being up in the clouds and going places really piqued my interest.
Was it a struggle to make space in the industry?
If I had not given the first audition, I would have never gone to Mumbai to become an actor. I had no acting background. I never even got a portfolio done for the first four-five years of my career. The industry has very kind to me. When I went to Mumbai, I already had a show in my hand. I have done around 12 shows in a career spanning 12 years and a few films as well.
How did you come on board to play Lord Krishna?
This is the fourth time that I am playing Lord Krishna in Dwarkadheesh—Bhagwan Shri Krishna 2. I was doing Rishton Se Badi Pratha back in 2010-11. Sagar Pictures were conducting auditions through an actor friend. I didn’t really prepare for it but got selected. Before doing this show, I had done two fictional shows and reality show but I started enjoying acting when I played Krishna for the first time. The whole idea of standing in front of the camera and to play a God really got me interested.
This is not the first time you have played this character. Why say yes, each time?
I have noticed that not many actors want to do mythological shows and I have also seen that not all actors are suited to do them. It is a different ball game. While I had not prepped for the first mythological show, I enjoyed the whole process. As an actor I am truly blessed that I have got this opportunity.
I will continue to play this role as long as I keep getting them since people remember you.
How tough is it to live up to people’s expectation when you are part of a mytho show?
Many actors have played Krishna but have not been exacted. Personally, I have to be able to look the part. I was offered to play Shiv but I refused. Because I don’t think that I can do justice to the look since Shiv has a rough and rugged personality. I know what my traits are. For me to be able to convince the audience that I am God, I have to be convinced otherwise that conviction will not come across.
What are the challenges that come in such shows?
I don’t think there are very many since people know the man behind the show due to social media. But when you play such roles, you do your own research. Before I took up the role back in 2011, I never used to practice yoga or meditate. But I do that regularly. I have lots of books as well. It has changed in in a way but it has not been intentionally.
Is there a need to change content that we see on TV?
Definitely. If we don’t do it now then, when? If not, TV is going to suffer since there are so many OTT platforms that offer great content. People even in small towns and cities have access to good Internet connectivity. If makers want people to sit in front on their sets at 8 pm and come back day after day, they need to find content that is brilliant. We must do away with the concept of daily soaps and come up with finite shows. When you do daily soaps, one tends to compromise because there is a deadline and we must do away with this.
Should viewers change their choice?
Not really. It is wrong to assume that because the audience watches such shows, makers are producing them. There was a time when the entire family would sit and watch shows, back in the 90s. If you give good content, people will watch it.
What next?
I am back home and looking at the change to open a boarding school in Palampur. But I would love to do web series provided the content and script that I am offered is good.