Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2's Manraj Singh Sharma on Nakuul Mehta, no fear of being typecast and more

Manraj Singh Sharma, who is currently seen in the role of Shubham (Ram's stepbrother) has returned to the screens in a rather powerful and complex role. The actor spoke to India Forums about how has the response been, the shooting experience with such a huge cast, if he ever feared being typecast in a negative role, and some more. Read the conversation here.

How has the response been and how have you been enjoying the character?

The character has started growing now, and since it is a TV show, different shades have been coming out. I play the stepbrother to Nakuul's character who creates troubles and the troubles have started and it is about how now that Priya (Disha Parmar) is coming home, how will I create trouble for them. I am liking how it is shaping up and I am hoping more good things come ahead.

Everyone is liking the character, they have been appreciating me in the role because I have been playing different characters, after Romil and Juggal, then Kaleerien, and now this character which is brash, a rich brat, and is as close to a 'snake' as it can get. It is getting interesting to see how will I play the character.

How has the shooting experience been?

Yes, it is a huge cast, 30 of us are shooting today as it is a huge function shot, and I have been meeting many people for the first time. Those who I have scenes, like Nandini ma'am (Shubhavi), I have a good bond with her, and Sheena (who plays Sneha) and even Nakuul, he has great energy on sets. I am trying to figure out Disha and that part of the family, so I am excited to shoot with them because I am loving the way she is playing Priya so I am looking forward to it.

When you play a negative character, the chances of being typecast only become higher. Is that something that ever crossed your mind?

Honestly, if I got a chance from Ekta ma'am to play a homosexual character in a web series because knowing the kind of work I will do, she has given a chance to me to play something grey, so she has good faith in me and I don't think I will get typecasted because I am not scared of that. If you enjoy this and you like it, after this, it is not necessary you have to stick to negative. The advantage with me is the face, I think I can do the guy next door as well, by playing the character as well, so being typecast is not something that will happen. For me, Shah Rukh Khan is the biggest example of that, given the kind of work he has done. If you can show your acting, you can shock people, so I want to keep doing that. I think my acting is a big advantage because I can get into the skin of every character, even if I am asked to play a transgender, I know I will play it very well. But with TV, I know I have a great chance to perform and improve while building on the character.

What would you say is a role you really want to do?

I want to play an army officer, and I have lost that opportunity thrice. One was where I was going to shoot for a finite series based on Akshay Kumar's recent movie, but then the channel backed out. Then the second time, I was about to get into Uri, but my dates did not work out. Then the third time, I was going to do it in an Amazon show, but that didn't happen. I don't know what is it, but it is a very different feeling, just what happened in Shershaah.

He concludes...

An actor has come to a place when people were worried about being typecast to now, where actors can work in any medium, where they can jump between TV, movies, and the web if you know how to act well. I am also really thankful for my association with Ekta ma'am and Balaji, because they have been my pillar of support and really pushed my career ahead, and I want to do a movie with them as well.

ALSO READ: Nakuul Mehta and Disha Parmar as Ram and Priya align with contemporary times in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2