AVINASH MISHRA, who plays Shantanu in Zee TV’s Yeh Teri Galiyan, speaks with CHANCHAL GOYAL about the challenges that came with the role, how acting happened and his plan of donning a director’s hat
How challenging was it to get into the shoe of the character?
It has been quite challenging as Shantanu Mazumdar is a mature character unlike me in real life. It was difficult to understand the depth of the character. But having said that it is a fun process where I am getting to learn new things everyday.
From Sethji to Yeh Teri Galiyan, how has your journey been?
It has been a learning experience. I have learnt acting in this period. When I came on board Sethji, I had no experience in acting neither I had done any acting course. I learnt how to act and face the camera on the go. Sethji was like a stepping stone for me.
How did acting happen to you?
My mother used to watch a lot of serials. I followed the shows with her and used to try enacting different characters from the shows. During family get togethers, my parents motivated me by saying that our hero has come. It felt nice. Acting always fascinated me. Then, I started taking part in school plays. I took all the opportunities that came my way. Gradually, my interest in the field increased and I decided to take it up as a profession. I came to Mumbai and started giving auditions. That’s how I got into this field.
What kind of rapport do you share with the co-actors?
Everyone is nice and welcoming on the sets. The environment is so positive and comfortable that we don’t feel that we are working. It is more like having fun. As far as my co-actors are concerned, we are more like a family now. We hang out a lot and we fight a lot.
What kind of roles you would like to experiment with?
I would like to do period movies. The old era actors have an aura in them and it interests me a lot. I would like to explore that.
You are interested in writing. Any plans of stepping in direction?
It is a very creative field. I do have inclination towards writing and direction. The field interests me a lot. I have something in the pipeline which I can’t talk about right now. But for direction, I hope it happens soon.
What is your take on TV actors who are making it big in films too?
Gone are the days when people wanted to see more family dramas. Over years, the audience has changed and so is their thought process. Everyone is getting equal opportunities now which is good thing. There is scope for everyone in films. If the audience likes you, you are here to stay on the big screens. So has happened with a lot of TV actors. Cinema has accepted them with open hearts and we cannot ask for more.
Can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
Currently, this show is my only priority. I have invested my heart and soul in this. I don’t want to distract myself right now.