Kunal Jaisingh has NO problems whatsoever with the way his Ishqbaaaz character and season is about to be wound up. All the lead characters/actors will be exiting this Gul Khan production, except for Nakuul Mehta/Shivaay, who will stay on in the post-leap season 3, starting 17th December.
“I had already reached the pinnacle of success with Omkara and any which ways wanted a month long matrimonial break, which fused perfectly with the last day of shoot.”
“There is no question of feeling bad, for at the end of the day, we are all playing fictional characters, which have to come to either an open-ended or a close-ended finale. I am also of the firm opinion that it is always better to bid adieu when the going is strong. We had a great two and half year run, clocking 650 episodes on Star Plus,” says Kunal, who started his TV career with Pratigya, back in 2011.
“I have great regard for Gul, for she personally called up all the leads when the leap decision was taken. This was not needed; someone else from her team could have broken the news to us. But it was her big-heartedness that made her pick up the phone, saying it is better you hear this from me. I am just thankful to her for having the confidence in me to give me Omkara, as there is no dearth of good actors in TV.”
But the fans seem quite miffed? “Well, this was expected. They naturally don’t want to miss the camaraderie among the lead characters. Even we were upset at first, but then they are smart enough to soon understand like us that there is much out there for a person to explore. This current anger is just temporary, which will soon fizzle. I sure hope Season 3 rocks and request viewers to continue watching Ishqbaaz for Nakuul and the entire kickass team.”
Looking ahead, he would next want an equally challenging role that would match-up to Omkara.
Doesn’t he think that playing such a strong character would prove detrimental to getting more work as he would be stuck with the Omkara image?
“No, today industry has changed and it is not that I am without offers. Several enquiries have already come once the news came out that I would be free. Also, this image thing does not hold water any more, for hasn’t equally important co-star, Mansi Srivastava, already signed a fresh project?”