Article: The bad guys on tube

When an actor agrees to play the bad guy or girl, the character is never black or white but often grey. Most actors whose fame rests on their 'negative' roles are of the opinion that true to human nature, they only essay on screen the truth that all humanity has shades of grey. Known to spit fire and venom on the idiot box, once the face paint comes off, they are back to being their warm, good-humoured selves.

Sajjan Singh or 'Anupam Shyam' from the popular serial Pratigya on Star Plus says, "I am proud that I was offered this role in Pratigya. I moulded myself to this character very naturally and when fans repeat my dialogues when they see me, it feels great. Singh has never received hate mail, instead fans have always appreciated his performances. "I am a very soft natured person. People respect me a lot even for my negative roles because they are all aware of the fact that I have been solving their problems and I am not like this in real life at all. A cultivator by birth, I belong to Bihar (Pratapgarh). When I go home, the moment I reach my village my folks come to meet me."

The mirror does have two faces, Singh reminds us, "Look, all of us are normal human beings so we do possess both positive as well as negative traits .We might be rude or mean to people according to our moods. It is not a big deal anyway. I did go by my instincts while performing this role. I am enjoying it thoroughly. None of my relatives have ever told me that they hate to watch me in this negative role."

And off screen, Singh is a certified good guy with several real life good Samaritan acts to his credit, "I helped people while a train was being robbed. I also helped out during the Hindu-Muslim riots way back in 1984. Helping others gives me immense satisfaction. Performing this grey character is great but grey is a part and parcel of our emotions. We categorise all our emotions as negative and positive ones," he says philosophically.

Asmita Sharma, who plays Krishna's mum in Pratigya also has fun being the bad girl, "No role is just good or bad. I'm enjoying performing this negative role because performing varied characters is important. My role in Balika was a positive character. My fans always mention that they like me in both roles. It feels great when I go to U.P. and people identify me with the character saying 'Dekho Daayan aa gayee'." Just to clear things up though, she adds, "In real life, I'm not a mean person like the character in Pratigya. But yes! I will never spare anyone who is jealous of me. I would definitely like to pay them back in the same coin." Sharma gets philosophical for a minute, "What is a grey or black shade? Every human being gets angry and is vindictive at some point of time. It's impossible to say that one person is good while the other is bad. All that matters is your point of view regarding that particular person." She's having trouble convincing her mum though, "My mom always says, 'Why have you chosen this dreadful character. Why can't you do some simple, loveable good characters?' These comments of my mom and others nonetheless make me proud. With such comments I am sure that I am convincing as a negative character to the core." She quips.

There are a few more characters known and applauded as the wicked persons on reel. Dhruv Bhandari who plays Yuvraj in Rakht Sambandh on Imagine TV is also one of them. The serial is the talk of the small screen world. Yuvraj is a cute looking kid he accepts but "…a naughty man on reel. I have been offered this role and being an actor, I need to play the part. Though, let me tell you looks are deceptive, I have always been naughty kid. I love to crack jokes. I am not as serious a person as I look."

Still, he makes sure you know that. "I am not as mean as Yuvraj in real life. I'm emotional and also very touchy. I cannot hurt anyone and if I am hurt by someone's comment I decide to let God punish him. I am not jealous or vindictive. My revenge is sweet and subtle — I stop talking to any person who may have hurt me deeply." He does have to deal with what the fans say though, "Yes! Weird comments make me feel on the top of the world. 'Woh dekho kamina aa raha hai.' And 'Tum itne cute ho phir aise gande roles kyun karte ho?'" express most of my fans. After hearing these comments I feel good that I have achieved my motto of convincing the audiences. At-least they want to watch me doing wrong things, wow!"

Kavita Kapoor plays Yuvraj's mom in Rakht Sambandh. Echoing the duality of human nature, she adds, "There is a pinch of negativity and positivity in all of us. I detest people who portray only their goodie-goodie side, because I know they are pretending but take revenge on the sly if someone rubs them the wrong way."

She's the only one who candidly admits that she is quite a baddie even in real life. She quips, "I am very bold as a person. I am of the opinion that if someone has hurt my sentiments and has troubled me, in that case I need to bring them to book. I am a vindictive person. My performance is only essaying a character but I truly confess that if my kids or my close relatives are harmed, I will go to any extent to take revenge.

Everyone has grey shades in them. But they don't like to show it to others."

She adds, "I have not received any hate mail. People always appreciate my performances. Comments — good or bad keep me going and help me grow as an actor."

Bad girls and boys from the small screen take a bow — you bring the bitter to the sweet and help keep it real.