Q- You were born in Jammu, and there itself you started modelling, then photography in Pune , Event company, and now as Arjuna you are in the best time of your career? How was the journey?
S- Very good! My career started by modelling in Jammu. Then photography in Pune. I still always carry a camera in my bag.(shows his camera's bag next to him). Photography is my favourite hobby. While I was in Pune, I had an event company. I have organized many events. I enjoyed this journey alot. And now my popularity as "Arjun"! My journey was excellent crossing every step!
Q- How was your reaction when Arjun's role was offered to you?
S- Oh I did not even understand over my excitement! I could not sleep for 2-3 nights!
Q- Is there any similarity between Shaheer and Arjun offscreen?
S-The thing I like most in Arjun is that, he never looses his confidence. (Himmat nahi harta). I too have this quality. Maybe he is not that amazing, but the dedication and the focus he has in himslef has made him different from others. I can see this in myself too. Playing Arjun's role, I did not even realize when Shaheer became Arjun!
Q- By playing the role of Arjun, how much have you changed?
S- Arjun has taught me to be disciplined. I was very untidy, and bohemian. I was very unpunctual. But after becoming Arjun, I wake up at the right time, eat my food on time and go to the gym. I have started taking care of myself, and my life has taken a shape. But to say the truth, it has taken away a lot too from my life! I cant give my family any time at all. My family has my father, mother, brother and sister. It ha also happened, sometimes dad called my a few times on a day. But I am so tired that I did not even call my home once. I have received a lot of scolding for this. But I have no regrets for this. I have received so much love and popularity by playing Arjun, I forget everything else.
Q- As much as have you done till now, what was the most challenging for you?
S- The first few days of shooting for Mahabharat was the most challenging for me. This is because, I had to understand the character of Arjun first. This was that kind of role I have never played before. Since the character is not of today's world, how the character thinks, wants, walks and talks or feels, I had to have a hold of all this. So I had taken a lot of time to understand what Arjun feels. And the character has got immense popularity. But to flourish the character on screen I had taken a long time and that was very challenging for me.
Q- Till now, which scene of yours was the worst and which you had to retake several times?
S- I remember one incident. This has happened many times because of my Hindi pronunciation. But that day was very troublesome for me, and I will never forget that. "Dhanushree sabse shreshth shastra hai" I could not say this dialogue even after trying many times. I had to retake 7-8 times. But my directer has not scolded me even once ! Its because he knows how much hardwork I put to mend myself.
Q- Most production houses complain about getting number of scenes. Is it the same here?
S- Yes, here too we take time to count on the scenes. We dont get the scenes atleast before an hour of shot. Sometimes I even got scenes while I was on my way from make-up room to the sets! I had to memorize my dialogues in between that time! If its good for me, less dialogues, but if it is bad, God help you !
Q- Isn't it tough to live in a rural area like Umergaon leaving the Mumbai city ?
S- When Mahabharat started, I did not have time to go home. I shot for almost 5-6 months without a break. Got only 1-2 days to go to Mumbai. I got some time off as I have less scenes for some time. I came back from my home some days back. But although I miss my family, I have got a new family here! 5 Pandavas on screen are like brothers off screen too. We have a flat here from the production house. We stay like a family there. We eat , play and have fun. We go to the gym together. If we have time we swim together or sometimes we even shop!
Q- Manier times we see that hero-heroine in reel life become a couple in real life too. How is your chemistry with Draupadi? Or Subhadra?
S- I have got very few chances to work with Draupadi. We have not got chances to work together on screen so we have not developed a strong chemistry. But for me, Pooja is a very good actress, intelligent and there is a lot to learn from her. But I did not get time to learn from her. And Subhadra, is like my daughter! Actually the fact is that we five have so much fun together, and we drove the unit so madly crazy that we dont get time to develop any relation with others! :D
Q- Your fan following is increasing day by day. How do you keep touch with your fans?
S- Yes! Many...many... they drive me crazy! I cant manage so many kids! I call all of them kids only! (laughs a lot). I chat with some on Twitter. But not with any on Facebook.
Q-Do you remember any special fan among these?
S- I still remember about one fan! I have not asked her name, so cannot say. She called me once, and the moment I picked up, she sang a song from the film London Paris New York. And when she finishes, she says that is all she wanted to say, and disconnects. I dont know how she got my number. But she sang so beautifully, that I could not cut the phone, and I felt nice.
Q- Girlfriend?
S- This love is not my piece of cake. I could not even be a good lover on screen! And I shoot for 14 hours everyday. I dont get time to talk to my family members. When will I spend time with my girlfriend?
Q- Mahabharat will end by some months. Using this popularity, will you try to go to the big screen?
S- I do get offers. But leaving Mahabharat, and going to the big screen is out of the question. I will take time to come out of this character. And by shooting in the sun, i am badly tanned. I have to fix that first.
Q- What are your future plans?
S- I never make any plans. If I would be planing, I would not have come to Mumbai. I have trust in God. I will go where he takes me.
Edited by Brishti_Sarkar - 11 years ago
Arjun
Web Series
