Then, now and thereafter with Karan Tacker

I dislike phone calls, I really do. For some odd reason, I find them eerie. So when I was told to be on the other side of the microphone with this certain actor, stating that I wanted to jump off a cliff would be an understatement. But I pondered over it and came to a conclusion; this phone call meant providing an insight into the adversities and exaltation that makes him the actor and the human being he is. It meant embarking on his private voyage and sense his experiences like they are your own. Not a bad bargain I said' So with multiple hesitations, the phone call was made and very cordially he affirmed to bare his heart to the millions of hearts out here.

Day two and cut to a new scene. It's a rainy day in the city of dreams and we reach the location of one of Star Plus' successful shows 'Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai' for a conversation with one of its pillars. Bang on time, we stroll through the vacant studio, occasionally catching glimpses of crew members slogging in their act as tiny droplets fall on their faces. It's lunchtime for some, it looked like. We are greeted by a few stares and in between a few words; a phone call from this actor who graciously volunteers to come out and fetch us speaks volumes about him as a person. Presenting Karan Tacker who is currently seen portraying the debonair yet every woman's dream man Viren in Star Plus' 'Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai.' He instructed his staff to take us to the set and yes we were very well taken care of. After all, he insisted on having some piping hot chai.

The next scene for the day was actually happening live in front of us. This scene in the show didn't require Karan, so clad in blue jeans, black t-shirt, a grey waist coat holding a coffee mug gifted by a fan, he walked towards us exuding warmth and sincerity in every step he took. Now we knew he didn't have a background in this field whatsoever, so how did the leap into this industry happen? In between sips of coffee, he narrated, "You know I started off modeling as a kid actually. My dad had a garment business and I used to always do their fashion shows. I remember walking the ramp for the first time in my life when I was 11 with Bipasha Basu. That's how it all started and my interest sort of built up from there. However, since I hail from a business family, my father wanted me to do something related to that field. I even studied BBA."

But even after having academics by his side, he made a quick shift in his career. For an average good looker to make a statement in a diminutive career of four years, his trail wasn't a bed of roses. "My family went through a very rough patch financially. That's when I thought of trying my hand at modeling. In the beginning of my career I actually did a lot of photo shoots for free so that they could become reference images for me to send across and get work. I didn't really have money to get a portfolio and interestingly just a few months ago was when I actually ended up getting a professionally shot portfolio of myself. In fact I remember I had a fixed fresh pair of clothes which I would wear for every audition." Though the initial years were harsh, he has just as much respect for all the bad days. "Learning the art was the biggest challenge for me. I come from a completely diverse background and I wanted people to take me seriously. Initial years were tough but also very interesting. I've had my share of failure. And it doesn't end I'm sure. I think it is very important to fall. It teaches you to value things and makes you stronger as a person," he says forthrightly. Having inherited the best of both his parents, Karan is awfully close to his family. "I've got my emotional side from my mother and my practical side from father." His father is also someone he derives his inspiration from. "I am in awe of my father. He has rewritten his success story thrice all by himself. There is just so much I learn from him every day, especially my work sense. I truly respect him." Outside of his personal sphere, he admires Shah Rukh Khan. "There is so much to learn in the way he delivers, it's amazing. I really look up to him. At times, I take references from his work when I act."

In between sips and shots as he talks, we cannot help but notice his gift of gab. This multifaceted actor dons the hat of an anchor as fluently as he becomes someone else once the camera starts rolling. "We play one character for so long that to keep a person's individuality alive is very tough.

Anchoring gives my personality an edge; it brings out the real Karan Tacker. You know I talk a lot and what better feeling than being paid for it," he quips. The fact that he is perfectly imperfect makes him unusual and he admits to his bitter side just as sweetly. "I am pathetic at dancing. It makes me jittery. I can't do the five-six-seven-eight drill," he states.

Suddenly our conversation is interrupted as he gets a call, "Sir, shot ready hai." "Ready ready hai?" he questions and switches into the world of Viren leaving us to make notes on Karan. He's back in no time and we couldn't help but ask how does he manage the life of Viren and Karan? "You know, we have 18-hr days on an average. Even if you have had a fight with your girlfriend or your father before coming to work, you have to come and perform. Most of the times the scenes ask you to portray the exact opposite emotion of what you are going through in real life on that day. It's tough but one learns to deal with it," he declares with a smile. Quiz him if his tolerance level has increased after stepping into this career and pat comes a reply, "Totally! Television has taught me to be patient. It teaches you to be spontaneous as well." This impulsiveness comes with a price tag. As an acclaimed actor, your fans want to see you as much as possible and he has no reservations about anything. "I've broken all my first time experiences with television. I love meeting new people, listening to their experiences. There is no awkwardness at all. I guess that's because ever since I have started working in television, I have been made to do so many random things like dance on a particular song in front of 50 odd people, cut fruits or even sing, so much so that I am at ease now," he utters confidently.

We tell him to recollect that one moment that has carved a memory for a lifetime in his mind and he shyly answers, "The first time I signed an autograph will always be special. We were shooting at a hill station and as soon as the camera was placed, kids came running and asked me for my autograph. I actually didn't even know what to sign for them. It was such a small location that even if the director stood in front of the camera, people would have asked him for his autograph. So I don't give myself credit for that. That is one day I will never forget in my life."

There will be fans and there will be followers. But some people in life keep you rooted by constantly giving you a reality check. For Karan, he is happy he doesn't have to go too far to face the real world. "My father and sister are my biggest critics. My mother loves me even if I just bat an eyelid. But I love the balance of both, it keeps me grounded. When my mother, who is my biggest fan says, Karan tu zeal ke saath kaam nahi kar raha, I feel I need to pull up my socks," states the actor who is his self proclaimed worst critic.

He definitely owns the world of a lot of women but this young actor isn't complaining."It's nice to receive so much love from people who don't even know us personally. They send us gifts, letters, it's all so adorable. I hope it never stops." And if you think all the adulation has taken a toll on his head, reality is quite the opposite actually. "I believe the higher the rise, the greater the fall. I would like to be successful yes, but I still have a lot to achieve. I want to be a better artist than a star." Point noted.

It has been established that after a few days, there will be no unearthly call times, no pancake clad actors and no cameras rolling on the sets of this show. It's time for Karan to say 'pack up' to this experience and move on to carve new ones. "I really need a break. I love travelling. I went to London last year and absolutely fell in love with that place. In fact I want to stay there for a while and feel the vibe of the country. Maybe after my show ends, I will be off for a long vacation and then learn some dance as well," he states excitedly.

This supremely talented actor commits to thread stories in the near future. "I believe a good actor can be a good director and vice versa. After I finished my first show, I became really good friends with my director and cameraman of that show and all the art I have learnt is from them. So yes, I definitely want to tell some good stories to people as I have a vision."

As a parting note with a juxtapose of feelings, he states, "I am weirdly short tempered. I am calm but I don't like when people talk to me disrespectfully. I like anxiety, it makes one prepare more and especially keeps me on my toes. I wouldn't trade this job for anything in the world. There is so much glamour, colour, grandeur it feels like a fresh day every day."

The saga continues as he leaves to get ready for his next shot so unaffected by his status leaving everyone affected by his aura. And because he's been overtly kind, he gets to read this piece before the world does. I'm off to the set once again this time for some coffee with Karan.