Actor Avinesh Rekhi says portraying his character properly and making the audience flow with the story in a good way is more important to him than being part of a reality show. By Vaibhav Ratra
Rarely do TV actors get to break stereotypes given their short shelf life and the need to conform to a TRP-driven pattern. But actor Avinesh Rekhi has managed to reinvent himself within a limited space and time. He has got a certain charm, spark and a brooding silence. After playing the multi-layered lead in Chhal — Sheh Aur Maat and a negative character in Madhubala, he is back with new show Tu Sooraj, Main Saanjh Piyaji as a very conservative Uma Shankar in small town India.
Talking about the sequel of the hugely popular Diya Aur Baati Hum, he says, “It’s a new story. It’s not quite related to the first plotline although some characters like Bhabho, Meenakshi and Baba sa are from the first season. The story is very fresh. It is about people who are meant to be together, who cross paths in the most unexpected manner and in the end complete each other.”
“The previous season of this show has such a legacy that I feel privileged to continue the baton. My character Uma Shankar isn’t linear. He just has a traditional approach towards life but isn’t negative or dominating. He is a Shiv bhakt and lives the conventional life of a Brahmin with no interest in the outside world,” he adds. The transformation from this mindset to accommodate the new world around him is an onscreen challenge he has prepped himself for. “In culture and values, me and my character are very similar although I am not at all rigid in my perception about women. I believe in equality. So to adapt that character, I did Surya Namaskar everyday without fail. I worked extensively on my body for six months. And to do justice, I followed a strict ‘Keto’ diet,” he says.
The shoot has been largely outdoor, in Kerala and Rajasthan. “Recreating the Bahubali moment (standing under a waterfall) was a challenging job for me but my confidence grew when I could see the camera capturing me.”
Avinesh’s journey as an actor started in 2005 when he started doing advertisements in Mumbai. He was also a student of Shiamak Davar who mentored him and helped him meet photographers. “Then came a phase in my life when I was scared about long-term prospects in the industry. For back-up, I completed my post-graduation from Australia but I always wanted to become an actor. And as fortune favours the brave, I got a small role in Dil Bole Hadippa. After that I became more confident about pursuing my passion. In 2012, I got my first show Chhal — Sheh Aur Maat and then a series of shows started coming to me,” recalls Avinesh.
He advises budding actors to be dedicated and patient enough if they want to last in the industry. “You have to be religious about your work. The rest depends upon destiny.”
Future plansIJ “I am focussed only on Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji and have no plans for reality shows as I am happy in my own space. What matters most is portraying my character properly and taking the audience on a journey with him,” he says, signing off.