Nach Baliye 9 wild card entry Avinash Sachdev has no problems in using this Star Plus dance reality show as a platform to open up about his relationship with actor Palak Purswani.

“Otherwise I would have spoken about it to a paper or website; so what’s wrong in doing it on a reality show that celebrates love?”

“Also, I have no issues discussing my private life. No wonder I opened up about my relationship with Rubina and my failed marriage with Shalmalee Desai in my first episode on the show.”

He said the following about his breakup with his above Choti Bahu co-star, “Rubina and I were very insecure about everything in life. We never used to give space to each other. I feel very lucky that I have Palak in my life, who keeps me grounded. She understands me completely.”

Avinash, who has been a part of TV for years (Qabool Hai, Ayushman Bhav) had stayed away from reality shows till now. “I always wanted to try my hands at nonfiction but was scared that overexposure which comes with the reality show territory might affect my chances of getting more fiction shows.” His last fiction show was the &TV show, Main Bhi Ardhangini, from which he was replaced a little while back.

“But eventually I decided to bite the bullet, and here I am.”

He does not think that joining in mid-stream gives him an advantage, “For the others (Shraddha Arya-Alam Makkar and Prince Narula-Yuvika, etc.), being in the fray for long, are better equipped to face the bar, which obviously goes higher with each passing week.”

Here Avinash says he is not really a dancer, but is picking up skills on the job. “I don’t really fret about the accompanying aches and pains, as my attention is only on my goal. Once in, fully committed, is my mantra.”

He refused to name any Jodi left in the fray (Madhurima-Vishal and Shantanu-Niytaami) as his biggest rivals. “The fact that they have reached so far is a testament to their hard work and skill.”

Shifting gear to the judges, Avinash says, “I have been a big fan of Raveena Tandon, so I get tongue-tied when she speaks. I pay full attention to Ahmed Khan Sir, who talks a lot of sense.”

Looking ahead, he would next want to try his hand at the other marquee reality show, Khatron Ke Khiladi, “For I don’t fear anything.”

“As for fiction, I would like to reprise my Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?…Ek Baar Phir, which has been my best work till date. I am also game for something like Shah Rukh Khan’s Darr. I love to do characters where I am both the protagonist and the antagonist.”