'Ahem is a complicated character' - Mohammad Nazim

How has your journey in Saath Nibhana Saathiya been so far?
The journey has been really good so far and I hope it continues like that. 

Your show has been one of the highest rated shows on TV; had you ever expected it?
Never had I expected the show to be this successful because our time-slot was quite early. I just hoped that the show does well as our story had an unusual concept and we have really worked hard for it. I am really happy that people like the show a lot. 

What were your expectations when the show took off?
Actually I had no expectations at all because certain episodes of the show had already been shot with a different cast. I had actually not got a call from the production house after I had given my auditions and the look tests in the beginning. I was also doing CID that time and I got the call from them on the last day of the shoot for auditions and I was taken aback. After that I gave the look test and finally I was destined to do the character. 

How similar is Ahem to you in real?
Ahem and I are similar in certain aspects where both are short tempered, carry their life carefully and are mama's boys.

Giaa Manek has said that Nazim is like Gopi on screen; is it true?
(Laughs) I know I am a little moody, but that is because I take my time to get along with people and I am really close and very cool with all my close friends. I just think before I take a step ahead in any relationship because you never know what kind of people you are dealing with. I just don't keep chatting with people around.

Ahem is always seen as a serious person who never smiles; have you got any comments on that?
Yes, of course and in fact people have always asked me why do I not like Gopi and why do I shout at her whenever she is around me. Recently when I was traveling in train, two guys were staring me for some time and finally they came to me and asked whether I was Ahem. When I said yes, they actually explained that they were really scared to approach me as they did not know how I would react. Finally they said that I am really different from the character.
 
Are you really like that?
I am not that serious and moody, but I know I take time to open up to people.

How is your rapport with your co-stars?
I have a good rapport with my co-stars where we all have a wonderful time on the sets. Till date, we four of us have had a good resonance and I hope it continues in future as well.

Who do you get along well on the sets?
Giaa is a great friend of mine.

How has the experience been working with Star Plus and Rashmi Sharma?
The relations just develop with them where I am happy that I am doing a show with Star Plus and I am grateful to the team for considering me worthy enough to be a part of their family. Rashmi Sharma's team has also been great to work with.

A complete negative character in Shaurya aur Suhani and now a tough businessman in Saathiya; which one did you feel tough portraying?
Ahem, because here the character is complicated. Ahem is a sophisticated person who has to carry himself well and is tough, but at the same time very close to his mother. He is a person who doesn't care about anyone else except for his mother.

Recently you were off to Star Parivaar Awards in Macau; how has the experience been?
The experience was great because that was my first trip outside India where I got to meet all the members of Star Plus. I met people from Sasural Genda Phool, Pratigya and all the other shows of Star Plus. We had a great time interacting with each other and I realized that what we think of them are not the same always. We had a great time and felt really great representing ourselves as a family there.

Can you tell us something about yourself?
I am basically from Punjab where I completed my education from Chandigarh and my family consists of my mom, dad, four sisters and an elder brother. I began my television career with Shaurya aur Suhani in Star Plus after which I went on to do shows like CID and Aahat later. I have done videos and ramp-walks also before I entered into television.

What is your dream role?
I like to do very intense roles like the one Aamir Khan had portrayed in Ghajini, where action and emotions are demanding in equal proportion. Also I like the character which Shah Rukh played in KANK and Kuch Kuch Hota Hain etc. There are a lot dream-roles that I wish to play.

You have been quiet about your personal relations; are you single?
Yes, I am absolutely single.

What would you like to say to your viewers and fans?
I know they have only one question for me and that is, when I am going to like Gopi. My answer is, please wait and keep watching the show because you people will definitely see a change in the behaviour of Ahem and also will get to see a changed Ahem in future.

Reporter and Author: Saranya Valsarajan