"My Life Partner Has To Be Tall, Intelligent And Super Sexy"
Devastatingly dishy and amazingly alluring, that's Mohit Malhotra for you! We've known him as the heartbreak kid on the dating show Splitsvilla and also seen him play a lower caste lover boy on the show Mitwa – Phool Kamal Ke. But it's his current boy-next-door role in Bade Achche Lagte Hain that has won the hearts of the audiences all over. His infectious smile can leave the girls weak in their knees, it is no wonder then that the actor already has a huge female fan following. A hardcore movie buff and an ardent music lover, Mohit describes himself as passionate, perseverant and patient. "I believe in the 3 Ps," he smiles. In a freewheeling chat with Showtime, he talks all about his journey so far. Read on.
For Mohit, it all started with Splitsvilla. Did he ever think that taking part in a reality show could be his big ticket to an acting career? "For me, being a part of Splitsvilla was a fortunate accident. I had never planned to be a part of a reality show. I had no idea that I'll get noticed there and end up becoming an actor. I had never imagined that things would fall into place like this. Not many of my co-contestants on the show got as much footage as I did. So I feel blessed," he says appreciatively.
So did he always want to become an actor? "Yes, I always wanted to become an actor and things have turned out well for me. I was working with my dad's business firm for sometime, but even then people would come up to me and say that you are such a good-looking guy, why aren't you in the showbiz. In school and college too, I was inclined towards acting. Somehow, after listening to so many people and introspecting a bit, I realized that acting was my true calling," says the actor.
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain was always touted to be one of the biggest shows from Balaji Telefilms. How did he manage to bag a role in such a prestigious show? "I had auditioned for the show a long time ago and knew that this was going to be a very big show, as it has a very strong cast and Ekta Kapoor was very particular about the show. My auditions had gone quite well and I was really expecting a call. But I didn't get one for quite sometime and had lost all hopes. Then, I was offered another show and was just on the verge of taking it up, when I got a call from Balaji and was told that I was shortlisted and that Ekta wants me on the show," he beams with pride.
In the television industry, either the on-screen couples get along like a house on fire, or they just can't stand each other. Ask Mohit what kind of a rapport he shares with his Bade… co-star Sumona Chakravarti and he honestly states, "Sumona is a very dear friend. I think we share a very nice chemistry on-screen. There's an amazing camaraderie between us. We knew each other even before the show started, so we share a close bond and are very comfortable with one another."
More often than not, fame gets to an actor's head, especially if he is young. But in spite of being a popular face on TV today, Mohit has a firm head on his shoulders. He's not only friendly but also extremely charming. So how does he feel when people recognise him? "It's an awesome feeling. The other day I was at the market and some people noticed me and started calling me Karthik (his on-screen character). The people in my building shower me with compliments all the time and keep asking me for updates on my show. When my wedding sequence on the show was taking place, many of my friends and relatives jokingly asked me why I didn't invite them to my wedding. I have got a very positive response from people and I am loving it," gushes the actor.
It's a known fact that Mohit has a rather prominent role in his current show. Considering he didn't have a great character in his last show Mitwa – Phool Kamal Ke, this must have come as quite a refreshing change. "Yes, it definitely has," he asserts. "That show was the first show of my career and it was only after the show that I realized that I had to put more of an effort in my acting and try to groom myself more. And I think the hard work I did after Mitwa… has paid off now. Now, I am a part of such a popular show. Being able to do quality work with a bunch of talented people has given me a high that can't be articulated."
Coming to his personal life, during the course of his reality show Splitsvilla, Mohit was rumoured to be dating his co-contestant Joanna Magee. Ask him if he is still dating her and pat comes his reply, "I wasn't dating her. We both just had a very good connection. The show was based on a concept of couples, so invariably, everyone had to pair up with someone or the other and I paired up with Joanna. Since we both became the king and the queen on the show initially, we got very close to one another. That's it. But it's been a while since we've been in touch now. I think she has moved on to different things in her life and so have I. We used to bump into each other a lot earlier, but not anymore."
Apparently, Joanna was upset about the fact that he didn't keep in touch with her at all after the show got over. "Is it? I had no clue about that," he says frankly, "There's no reluctance from my side to stay in touch with her. I always wanted to, but I think somehow things changed for the both of us. Both of us are now concentrating on our lines of work. It's just something that has happened by default. I would still love to be in touch with her because I have never intentionally tried to stay away," he shares.
Does that mean he is single at the moment? "Yes, I am," he says instantly. Keeping in mind the fact that so many girls go gaga over him; does he see himself in a committed relationship at this point in time? "I am a die-hard romantic. So once the right girl comes my way, there's no looking back. Right now, my priority is definitely my work. I am focussing only on that. But if true love comes along, I will balance both," he giggles.
So what are the qualities that Mohit is looking for in a life partner? "My life partner has to be tall, intelligent and super sexy. She also needs to be understanding and caring. They are two qualities that I always look out for in a girl," he says instantly.
Mohit's boy-next-door image is most definitely a hit with all. So is he content with this image or can we look forward to seeing him in a new avatar in the near future? "I would love to come out in an entirely new avatar, because people will gradually get bored of seeing me the same way. I would love to even change my look someday, but I need to get a role that demands it," he says.
Does that mean that he would continue doing television or does he want to make it to the silver screen someday? "Right now, I am looking forward to working on television. First, I want to make it big as a TV star and only then will I follow my dreams of becoming a Bollywood actor. Every actor wants to see himself on the big screen someday and even I am one of them. But I just want to learn and make the most of all the opportunities that come my way and then let's see where life takes me," ends Mohit confidently. With such a positive attitude and rather charming personality to go with it, Mohit Malhotra is definitely here to stay!
*By Swagata Dam
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