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Barun Sobti: I am not on social media as I don't feel the need to communicate with the outside world
Neha Maheshwri| TNN | Jun 30, 2017, 01.00 AM IST
Barun Sobti (Tejas Kudtarkar)
Barun Sobti had left his fans shocked when he quit the first season of 'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon' almost five years ago. Extremely popular on the small screen, he wanted to try his luck in movies. Not surprisingly, his exit marked the beginning of the end of the show, which wrapped up soon after. Even as his tryst with Bollywood failed to live up to his expectations, Barun is back on the small screen. He has been assigned the responsibility of taking the 'Iss Pyaar...' franchise, currently in its third season, to newer heights.
Ask Barun what gave him the courage to quit a popular show and then return with its third season and he replies, "My career choices aren't based on the popularity of my character; I have never intended to capitalise on my fan base. I have come this far purely on the basis of my acting ability. I got a lot of offers, but I wanted to take up a finite series with a challenging character. This show fits the bill perfectly. I am a freelance artiste. My choices are based on the proposals offered to me and what piques my interest."
However, he says that on moral grounds, he regrets quitting the TV show at its peak. "I feel bad because everyone loved the show, but I had taken it up only because I was told that it would end in a year. However, when I requested the producers to release me after a year, they asked me to stay put, saying that the ball has just started rolling and everybody is making money. So, I decided to continue, keeping everybody's interest in consideration. Eventually, though, I couldn't do it anymore and so, I decided to quit," he says.
Ask Barun what gave him the courage to quit a popular show and then return with its third season and he replies, "My career choices aren't based on the popularity of my character; I have never intended to capitalise on my fan base. I have come this far purely on the basis of my acting ability. I got a lot of offers, but I wanted to take up a finite series with a challenging character. This show fits the bill perfectly. I am a freelance artiste. My choices are based on the proposals offered to me and what piques my interest."
However, he says that on moral grounds, he regrets quitting the TV show at its peak. "I feel bad because everyone loved the show, but I had taken it up only because I was told that it would end in a year. However, when I requested the producers to release me after a year, they asked me to stay put, saying that the ball has just started rolling and everybody is making money. So, I decided to continue, keeping everybody's interest in consideration. Eventually, though, I couldn't do it anymore and so, I decided to quit," he says.
Despite having played various characters, it's his brooding avatar that has female fans drooling over him. What makes him perfect for such roles? "I have no idea... I am such a nice guy (laughs), but the very fact makes the challenge interesting. Playing Advay Singh Raizada on the show is quite draining, as there are times when I am just staring with my teeth clenched. His intensity drains me by the end of the shoot," he replies.
Interestingly, the makers have not repeated the original pairing of Barun and Sanaya Irani. Instead, they have roped in Shivani Tomar. He retorts, "The idea was not to take the franchise ahead. The casting has to be right. I have been roped in not because I am popular, but because I fit the bill."
While he impresses the audience with his acting chops, Barun is quite a shy guy in real life. In fact, he is not even on social media. Ask him if he is a recluse and he replies, "I wouldn't call myself a recluse, but I am quiet and reserved. I am not on social media as I don't feel the need to communicate with the outside world. People who matter to me are just a call away. Also, I don't feel the need to promote myself and be visible. That never appealed to me. What gives me immense joy is to be on the set and create good content."
Point out that his film career didn't shape up the way he expected and Barun says, "Firstly, I didn't quit TV for films; the idea was to spend time with my wife. I couldn't travel because I was bound by the show. There was no other POA. Films happened by chance. It's easy to cast a successful TV actor in a film, hoping to taste success. However, I have realised that TV and films have different sets of audiences. While the content on TV can be viewed for a minimal amount, a movie buff ends up paying '1,000 for just two people. If the content is good, people will watch it. I just believe that I didn't begin my journey in films with a good script, though the intentions behind making the film were good."
Interestingly, the makers have not repeated the original pairing of Barun and Sanaya Irani. Instead, they have roped in Shivani Tomar. He retorts, "The idea was not to take the franchise ahead. The casting has to be right. I have been roped in not because I am popular, but because I fit the bill."
While he impresses the audience with his acting chops, Barun is quite a shy guy in real life. In fact, he is not even on social media. Ask him if he is a recluse and he replies, "I wouldn't call myself a recluse, but I am quiet and reserved. I am not on social media as I don't feel the need to communicate with the outside world. People who matter to me are just a call away. Also, I don't feel the need to promote myself and be visible. That never appealed to me. What gives me immense joy is to be on the set and create good content."
Point out that his film career didn't shape up the way he expected and Barun says, "Firstly, I didn't quit TV for films; the idea was to spend time with my wife. I couldn't travel because I was bound by the show. There was no other POA. Films happened by chance. It's easy to cast a successful TV actor in a film, hoping to taste success. However, I have realised that TV and films have different sets of audiences. While the content on TV can be viewed for a minimal amount, a movie buff ends up paying '1,000 for just two people. If the content is good, people will watch it. I just believe that I didn't begin my journey in films with a good script, though the intentions behind making the film were good."
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