Apurva Agnihotri, who is entering Colors show Bepannaah, is looking forward to the stint. “I really like its differentiated concept. I have not done something like this before. Normally you get the same lines and stuff. They have just shot my promo and regular shooting will start soon.”
Apurva, who first gained TV name and fame with Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi, was, for a while, shying away from doing regular TV. “The long working hours were a sure turn-off. Plus, sets are quite far. Wife Shilpa Saklani was based in distant Umargaon shooting for Mahakali.”
So, for a while, we had decided to stay away from long winding shows. “I was only doing short cameo (Saubhagyalaxmi and Meri Durga) roles, which gave me creative satisfaction, as you take the story forward and leave before things get stagnated. One other thing that worked in our favour was that we were always financially secure. Not many actors enjoy that liberty. Have we not seen newbies being given the rough end of the stick on set? They have to report before time and are the last ones to leave. Our blood boils, seeing them suffer, but then, what can we do to help them? Telecast deadlines are so stiff that you don’t have the liberty to fall sick. It is like, if you want to die, fine, but first finish your scenes.”
“Both Shilpa and I have now decided to get back to the working groove, realizing that there is no other option. We had turned down quite a few shows, which went on to become chartbusters. But no regrets, we are satisfied with our lot.” His other notable TV fiction outings have included Kajjal, Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi, and the short lived, Aasman Se Aage.
On the factors that make them survive in a very cut throat and cluttered environment, he says, “I guess we are no nonsense actors, who turn up on time, do what is required and go home. But yes, I will add that God has been kind.”
What went wrong with your last full fledged show, Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh? “No clue; they shut shop when it was finally beginning to get loved by the audience. All said and done, after being around here for so many years, I know not to get too ruffled by things beyond my control.”
Besides TV, he is also excited about his web avatar, Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain. “I had a cameo in the first season. They will soon be working on the sequel. It would be interesting to see something cooking between Mona Singh’s character and mine. “It was real fun working for them, for everything was organized. There was no mad rush to can scenes, as in TV. It was beautifully executed.”
But here, Apurva laments the excess s*x and sleaze which currently dominates the web space. “It will not work beyond a point. Even small and medium scale sex-based movies are flopping for the same reason. Audiences, apart from the youth, prefer small, meaningful cinema, rather than just kissing and making out.”
We wish him luck.