Harshad's interview in Deccan Herald

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Nishi

@Ni_singh

Voyager

Posted: 17 years ago

Just came across this in Deccan herald web publication. Sorry if its a repost.

Dogged by controversy

Harshad Chopra seems to have a fetish for arguments. No matter which production house he works with, no matter who his co-stars are and no matter what his role is Harshad always manages to end up getting embroiled in some controversy or the other and quits the show.

So it was quite a surprise when Ekta Kapoor chose him for the key role of Arjun in her version of Mahabharat. Sunday Herald managed to speak to the handsome actor before he signed on the dotted line for Mahabharat.

Excerpts from an interview.

Is it true that you are a computer engineer? Why did you choose the uncertain television industry over a cushy job in a software company?

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Yes, I am a qualified software engineer. I studied software engineering in Pune and was all set for a good job, when I decided to opt for acting. I think it was my passion for acting that made me choose the television industry over a software company.

How did you move to Mumbai?

I hail from Gondia, a place beyond Nagpur and I was an above-average student throughout my school and college days. But I always wanted to do something in the film/television industry. However I realised that staying in Pune, I could not do that, so I shifted to Mumbai in 2005.

Tell us the story behind how you managed your first break.

After coming to Mumbai, I participated in the Grasim Mr India competition and won an award for the best smile. Just after this competition, I got an offer for a role in Zee's popular show 'Mamta'. I played the role of the younger brother of Anand Suryavanshi (the lead protagonist of the serial). I think I got the offer because of my looks which were similar to Anand Suryavanshi! So that is how I got my first break.

After this I worked with 'Left Right Left' first and then 'Ambar Dhara'. In both these serials, my role became extremely popular.

But you also had to quit both these serials under very unpleasant circumstances.

Believe me a lot of it is media hype. While I am not denying that I had certain differences with production houses which led to my quitting the shows, it is not the way the media has reported. In 'Left Right Left', all the actors had differences with the producers over the way the characters were handled and thus a decision was taken to quite en masse. While in 'Ambar Dhara', there was a communication gap between me and the producer and that led to a massive misunderstanding. Thus, I had to move out of the show. In other words, it is not that I fight with my producers and as a result and sacked from all shows.

You are recently being seen as Prem in 'Kish Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil'. Tell us something about it.

Bagging this role was not an easy task! I got selected after eight rounds of audition and look tests.Prem's character is a very intense one and one from the idealistic world. He is good in all aspects and I am sure that in real life you won't come across such a person. But playing this role is also a challenge.

Rumours have it that you are playing Arjun in Ekta Kapoor's 'Mahabharat'. Isn't it too early to play a mythological character?

Nothing is certain as yet since I have not signed the contract. Wait and watch what happens! To answer your second question, I don't think there is any time— early or late— in an actor's life to play any role. It depends completely on how comfortable the actor is with the role. I believe that I should play roles in different genres as early in my career as possible. And that is why, I would consider myself lucky if I am given this role.

Srabanti Chakrabarti

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Frequent Posters

OGX2010

@OGX2010

Sparkler

Posted: 17 years ago

I dont like the way dey introduced him..dats suh a mean way of puttin it😡 ..harshad wud be the last person to get involved in suh controversies da production house was at fault 🤢 ..i wish da intro was never there...it just ruined an odrwise amazin interview by the man himself

Edited by sidrah fariq - 17 years ago

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Janki

@pm rocks

Dazzler

Posted: 17 years ago

Originally posted by: sidrah fariq

I dont like the way dey introduced him..dats suh a mean way of puttin it😡 ..harshad wud be the last person to get involved in suh controversies da production house was at fault 🤢 ..i wish da intro was never there...it just ruined an odrwise amazin interview by the man himself

I agree...and dont you think thats too personal..That was very mean of them to put it that way...next time they better think before they put crap like this😡

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Janki

@pm rocks

Dazzler

Posted: 17 years ago

Thnx for the article..

they asked him all kind of questions..but they couldnt ask him if he was leaving kis desh...

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-Faith-

@-Faith-

Sparkler

+ 3

Posted: 17 years ago

The first para esp the first line doesnt quite sound like him..
However, thanks for the article😊

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Salma

@salma_786786

Voyager

Posted: 17 years ago

thank you for the article....
i really didn't like the way they introduced him....
Harshad and controversies don't go in the same sentence for me.... 😕 😕

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-Faith-

@-Faith-

Sparkler

+ 3

Posted: 17 years ago

Originally posted by: sidrah fariq

I dont like the way dey introduced him..dats suh a mean way of puttin it😡 ..harshad wud be the last person to get involved in suh controversies da production house was at fault 🤢 ..i wish da intro was never there...it just ruined an odrwise amazin interview by the man himself

I agree Siddoo It was a bit too harsh and I mean they shud be more cosiderate... just to make it sound more sensational kabhi kabhi they go over board....
I know the intro dampened the whole interview which was quite good other wise... His answers ie

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Aanandaa

@Aanandaa

Sparkler

Posted: 17 years ago

Originally posted by: -Faith-

I agree Siddoo It was a bit too harsh and I mean they shud be more cosiderate... just to make it sound more sensational kabhi kabhi they go over board....
I know the intro dampened the whole interview which was quite good other wise... His answers ie

Sometimes this media gets on to my laaaaaaast nerve..Is that a way to introduce a person..My goodness, may Harsh was a no name sometime back, but now considering that he is such a popular star and getting into the big league real quick, they better watch out their words, lest they may have to end up eating crow...👎🏼

I really liked the rest of the interview and the humble and straight forwards answers given by Harsh...You Go! Harsh....👏

Edited by raksha.l - 17 years ago

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Payal

@-Payal-

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 17 years ago

Thanks for sharing.

Agreed, the intro was indeed harsh, and doesn't sound like Harsh at all...controversy? They make it sound like he's going around picking fights with everyone he works with. 😡 The media always has a way of blowing things out of proportion without thinking twice about how it will effect the lives/image of those involved. It's disgusting.🤢

Otherwise, loved Harshad's responses. Very straight forward and matter-of-fact. 👏

Love,
~P

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Harshad's interview in Deccan Herald

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