Mayank no longer sweet or lovable

Rahul Lohani who plays the mentally challenged Mayank in Kyunki… is thrilled that his character is finally being given importance. "I waited for three and half months and my patience is finally paying off," says the relieved actor. Elaborating on his character, he says, "Mayank just looks dumb but he is not only intelligent but also very sharp. The lovey-dovey look was just a faade.

In fact, when I accepted the role, I was told how and when the character would start showing his true colours. I wouldn't have accepted the role if the character had no meat to it," says Rahul who has had a meeting with Ekta after the shooting of the special mega merger episodes of the three Balaji shows wound up. She gave him a detailed brief on how the character will shape up and move ahead. I think she wanted to wait and gauge the audience's reaction to the merger episodes where Mayank's true character will be revealed in bits and pieces. But one thing is for sure, he will not be one of the background characters anymore," says Rahul who also plays the village bumpkin Bhola in Jab Love Hua on Zee.

Comparing both his characters he says, "Both Mayank and Bhola are introduced as sweet and lovable innocents. But Bhola doesn't change. He remains the same innocent and gullible villager. Mayank is different and undergoes a sea change. I accepted the role because it was a good opportunity to play a very different character from Bhola.