TOI: Mishal back on TV as a villain

Mishal back on TV as a villain

Neha Maheshwri

Actor Mishal Raheja, who was last seen on Laagi Tujhse Lagan three years ago, besides a special appearance in Punarvivaah last year, is set to return to the small screen with Aryan, a superhero series. He will be playing an illusionist a character with negative shades. "The character has different shades and multiple looks, which gives me great liberty to play it the way I look at it. Such a thing is not possible when you are playing a male lead in a daily soap," says the actor, who has even grown a beard to add to the character's look. Ask him if he is apprehensive of being typecast as a villain and he replies, "I'm shooting for 15 days and my track will last three episodes. I don't think people will typecast me in such a short span."

What many may not know is that Mishal was finalised to join TV show Saraswatichandra as its protagonist, before it ended prematurely. "The producers decided to shut the show and hence, the deal fell through," he explains. The actor says he's now waiting to return in a full-fledged role. Does that mean he has mended his ways, considering he was known for his tantrums earlier? "Those stories aren't true.I had everything even before I had entered the glamour industry, so why will the newfound status go to my head?
But I've changed my approach towards work. I strive harder to find work now," he states. Mishal is also trying his luck in Bollywood and has already shot a movie."The actor in me is very patient. It has been a long struggle to make it into Bollywood," he concludes.