ARISH BHIWANDIWAlA has replaced Sahil Deshmukh as the young Akbar in Sony’s Maharana Pratap. The boy who started acting since he was 11, says he was far from nervous on the first day of the shoot. He loves history and acting and is Hrithik Roshan’s biggest fan on the planet, he tells DEEBASHREE MOHANTY
How excited are you about playing Akbar in your upcoming TV showIJ
Shehenshah Akbar is my favourite historical personality and I am grateful that I got an opportunity to play his character. I couldn’t believe my luck when the channel called me to audition for the role. I was asked to begin shooting the very next day of signing the contract. It’s surreal. I was nervous about playing a role that has earlier been essayed by stalwarts like Prithviraj Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan but once I started shooting, I was at my best.
What was the most difficult part about playing this roleIJ
The challenge was manifold — getting into heavy costumes was quite tiresome, then there was a certain diction that had to be followed. Also, there was a huge problem of enacting someone from that era. I had to have poise while walking and talking and had to maintain that strong shoulder befitting an emperor. It was difficult but enjoyable.
There is another upcoming actor playing Akbar on another channel. Are you scared of competitionIJ
I have always wanted to be an actor and I realise that this field comes with its shortfalls. If there is a lot of fame and money, there is also gossip and rumours. It is still early in the day but I think I have been here long enough to handle such pressures. Competition is always healthy
You have also had a stint in Bollywood. According to you, how different are the two mediumsIJ
There are many similarities and a few differences. For an actor who wants give his best, the medium doesn’t matter. As long as he is getting to be in prime time, he is good. But, a TV schedule is far more difficult than movies. A show has to be completed in a certain timeframe. There is a very small window for rest. In movies, the director is happy wrapping two scenes a day. But for a TV show, we have to shoot at least five scenes a day! That’s crazy amount of hard work.
You acted opposite Hrithik Roshan and many other established actors in Agneepath. How was the experienceIJ
Those were the best days of my life. It was a dream run. I had not expected to bag any role, forget about getting to play the young Hrithik. I was lucky. Also, getting to share screen space with such amazing people was quite something. They were all very good to me and made my stint a fun-filled one. I wish more such offers come my way.
When did the acting bug bite youIJ
I started doing commercials at age 11 and there has been no looking back. I was always wanted to face the camera and my family has supported me. I want to make them proud.
Are the offers coming from Bollywood tooIJ
Not really. I haven’t had a single project since Agneepath.
Do you think the child artists in TV are backIJ
Earlier, there used to be movies with children in the background. But now these child artists are seen as main protagonists. They are no longer sidekicks of heroes. That is a positive trend. ‘Playing young Hrithik was my dream role’