Sharad tells all! - Article

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Sharad Malhotra (TOI Photo)

Small screen's new heartthrob, Kolkata boy Sharad Malhotra didn't really want to be an actor.


In fact, Sharad was more interested in sports and has even "played for Bengal in a couple of tournaments. I was preparing for the Ranji Trophy, when I won a modelling contest in 2001. It was then, that
I took-up advertising assignments and later on, won the Kolkata zonal rounds for Cinestars Ki Khoj
in 2004."

Did he actually prepare for the role of the autistic Sagar in Banoo Main Teri Dulhann ? "I did. It was extremely difficult. There was an added pressure as I was constantly being compared to Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji and Varun Badola, who have played such characters in the past. To meet the expectations, I have done a lot of home work," grins Sharad.

A Capricorn, he says, he is "ambitious and I love to push myself to the limit. I believe hard work pays." What about his weaknesses? "I am very lazy, an inveterate foodie and an introvert," he confesses.

Now, that his character 'dies' in the television serial, is he going to think Bollywood? "The serial's creative team is still working on the track, so I might return. As far as Bollywood is concerned,
I am not too keen right now. At the moment, I am lying low," he says.

An obvious question. Is the television's most eligible bachelor seeing someone? "Yes," comes the reply. With a hearty laugh, he says, "I am seeing myself in front of the mirror and the camera!"