'Kabir is not a regular daily soap character'- Avinesh Rekhi

Please tell me about your hometown and family background. 
My hometown is Chandigarh. My mother Darshan Rekhi is a housewife and my father M.P.Singh Rekhi is into business. I have an elder brother who is based in Australia and is in the army there. 

You have had to struggle a lot, right?
My struggle period was long and I have been through many ups and downs in life. In between I had also gone to Australia to pursue further studies because I wanted to secure my future. Becoming an actor was my decision but I have got full support from my parents. After my first show Chhal Sheh Aur Maat came on air, my relatives and folks have been very happy and they all are very glad to see me every day on the screen. 

Please tell me about your education.
I did my schooling from St.Xaviers and then passed from DAV College Sector 1.  Later I went to Adelaide to pursue my Masters in Computer Science. 

Did you have to prepare for your role in Chhal?
I am an actor who is a director's actor. Chhal Sheh Aur Maat is my first show and everyday on the set I am learning many new things related to acting and performance. There was no workshop for me, I immediately started shooting. My director is helping me a lot to understand the nuances of the character of Kabir. I consider this show as my ideal launch pad. I am so grateful to 24 Frames who have given me this opportunity - because Kabir is not a regular daily soap character - he has multiple layers of emotions. An actor can really come out with a nice performance with this character. 
 
Chhal's TRP isn't that high. Please comment.
 I don't have a vast knowledge of TRP. I do know about it but not in detail so won't be able to comment on this. But I would like to mention that whenever I meet outsiders they all say good things about the show. Chhal Sheh Aur Maat  is a kind of show which requires a lot of preparation for its shoots. Most of the time the shoots are happening in dark. A lot of activity has to be undertaken to give the right light to the scene and the camera angle has to be very specific. So the cast and crew are always on their toes. I guess in some time we will be able to gain a better TRP. We are hopeful that the audience will watch our show because we are offering something which is new. 

What do you like to read?
 I am quite fond of reading and my interest in mystery novels also helps me get into my character Kabir. My all time favorites are Arthur Conan Doyle, Harry Kemelman and Paulo Coelho. 

Which historical character would you like to play given the opportunity?
Shahid Bhagat Singh and Shaheed Udham Singh - these two freedom fighters from Punjab have given their blood and soul to our country and more people should come to know about their sacrifices.  

What about the Indian TV industry would you like to change?
I am still very new to this industry to comment. But from what I have noticed in the last few years is that shows are mostly women centric. If I have the power and opportunity then I guess I would make more shows which can cater to all of us. Men and the kids can also have their portions of shows. In an Indian family we  mostly have parents and their kids, so there has to be an offering for people from all age brackets.  
 
Reporter: Pallavi Bhattacharya