AT #1 : TV Hunk Karan .V. Grover Returns - Page 63

Karan Grover (TOI photo)If you are a television buff, you must have enjoyed his and Kavita Kaushik's electrifying performances in Nach Baliye 3.

Yes, we are talking about Karan Grover, the suave hunk of telly world, who played Arjun in Saarrthi (a reworking of the Mahabharata). He also played the lovable Raj in Meri Awaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni, another popular soap opera on a major entertainment channel. This popular actor describes himself as 'practical, empathetic and liberal'. So what does he do when he is not shooting? "I like to sleep, watch films, travel and hang out with friends. Besides, I enjoy adventure sports." Quiz him about those moves in Nach Baliye 3 and he is modesty personified. "I was really nervous about performing with Kavita Kaushik, who is a fabulous dancer."

His fans were quite shocked when Raj was killed abruptly in Saarrthi. Clarifies Karan, "At that time I had started shooting for Meri Awaz and I felt I wouldn't be able to do justice to both the serials. So, even though I felt bad, we had to bring the character to a logical end." Karan was training as a chemical engineer at one point of time. So what made him take up acting? "I was a bad engineer, yaar!" he admits candidly.

This handsome lad was also one of the top five finalists in the Mr India contest, 2004. He calls that "an evolving experience" which "taught me the value of discipline and also how to carry myself." He is a huge fan of Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan, while Rani Mukherjee happens to be his favourite. So doesn't he have Bollywood dreams? "You will definitely see me on the big screen", pat comes the reply.

Quiz him about the changes in the television industry and he says, "The way it has grown from being the smallest industry to the second biggest one is really wonderful. A lot of credit should go to people like Ekta Kapoor for that." He also feels that big stars like SRK or Big B are doing TV shows is "adding feathers to its crown." He loves his work. "I am a workaholic and can shoot continuously for three days!" he claims. So is marriage on the cards anytime soon? "I love the way I am living right now and there is no chance of marriage in the next three-four years," he signs off.