'Formula for success is to keep working' - Sarwar Ahuja

Winner of Zee Cinestar Ki Khoj, Sarwar Ahuja has moved to television after a stint in Bollywood, and is seen playing the lead in NDTV Imagine's Jyoti.

Here is the actor talking about his role in the show…

What was the reason for taking Jyoti?
I was concentrating on movies. I have worked in four to five movies. The reason for taking a show on TV was because I was offered a challenging role in Jyoti, and as an actor this is the best learning experience I could ever get. I got offers from many big production houses, but I had not zeroed down on any, as I felt those shows could not squeeze the talent out of me.

Initially I was reluctant about shooting for Jyoti, as I play a blind person in the show. Later, I met many blind people and saw their lifestyle and achievements, and was impressed.

Elaborate on your character in the show, Sachin?
He is a blind and a handicapped person. However, he is strong in another way as his sixth sense is very sharp. He is a learned person and is essaying the role of a lecturer and has studied the language of blind people. He lost his eyesight when he was 13-14 years old. He has already seen the world and is very positive in life. Till now every one is going through a dark phase in life but I'm the one who provides a ray of hope in their lives. It's quite a complicated character to play, and I am thrilled to be part of the team.

Could you tell us about your rapport with Sneha Wagh in the show?
Well it's quite early to talk about it. I think Sneha Wagh is a good actress and has individually taken the serial ahead. Taking the whole show on your shoulders is quite difficult and I am here to lend her my shoulder. As a person she is quite warm to talk to. She is young and she has got age on her side and in the years to come she will make her impact.

Normally people from television go to films, but in your case it's vice versa?
Well I am a product of television and a winner of Zee Cine Star Ki Khoj which was a television hunt show and then I did couple of films. There are people like Shah Rukh Khan, Rajeev Khandelwal, Irrfan Khan who have come from television to movies. As I see it, there is no limit to good work. If you are good at your work, there will be people to identify you and appreciate your work. My formula for success is to keep working.

As I do two films a year, I have lot of time for learning. I want to learn from good people and good technicians and may be in a year from now, I will be a well polished actor.

Are there chances to see you more on TV?
I have few films releasing and have not left big screen. About television, right now this is the only show that I want to do. I am giving 15 days of the month to television and remaining days goes to my movies. I am continuously working and this is the main reason for joining television. Also there is recession happening in films. Right now my motive is to keep working and gain success through different roles and ways.

What was the reason for not doing television for all these years?
I had many films in the pipeline. In the last three and half years I have done some five movies, so really it took time for me to understand that particular industry. The manner in which we need to handle different affairs in that industry is something that I have learnt. Today, I see that there is no difference in these two mediums. Everyone wants to do TV. One can see many Bollywood personalities on small screen starting from Shilpa Shetty, SRK to Arshad Warsi. I think this is the only way to reach out to people who are based at their houses, and at the same time your work is appreciated. I am planning to be part of both the worlds and I don't think I have anything else to ask beyond this!! 

To view Telly Buzz' Video Interview of Sarwar Ahuja, CLICK HERE

Reporter and Author: Rachana Trivedi