Naman’s very happy with his career moves

Actor Naman Shaw, better known as Puskhar from Kasamh Se and now Nakul in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, is one of the rare actors who gets to play a positive character in one show and a negative character in another. Here the actor talks about his two hit shows, Ekta Kapoor and participating in Zee's Cinestars Ki Khoj to Pramita Bose.

Are you excited about your newfound stint as Ganga and Saahil's adopted son, Nakul in Kyunki…?
Absolutely. After all, Kyunki... is the number one daily show on air. Also getting a fair amount of screen presence in a leading soap at this stage of my career is like icing on the cake. It goes without saying that I am enjoying my work and loving every bit of it.

Does Nakul have a negative streak in him?
Not really, he's being portrayed as an angry young man, who wears an aggressive image on his sleeve and vents his frustration at every critical moment. Nakul's gussa is not naajayaz. Originally born to Gautam and Damini and then handed over to Saahil and Ganga, little did Nakul know what fate has in store for him. After being starved of affection and material comforts which should have been his, he has developed an inferiority complex as the rest of the family has grown up in the lap of luxury.

Interestingly, your role as Pushkar in Kasamh Se, which made you a household name is very different. Comment.
Pushkar has that typical guy-next-door feel around him that the audience can easily identify with. He's an out an out chocolate hero, who's warm and sensitive from inside.

Which role is more challenging?
To me, Nakul is more challenging, as there are many facets to the character. But Pushkar is any day my favourite since that role was my launch pad on the small screen. If the former is full of fury, the latter reveals his romantic traits. The whole thing boils down to a 'switch on and off' kind of an affair, where one has to shuttle between several sets, do double shifts and give the best shots on a single day.

Before TV what did you do?
I enrolled in the Mr India Pageant way back in 2002 and I won the title for The Best Smile. Then I participated in Zee Cinestars Ki Khoj and was among the top 10 achievers from Jamshedpur. Thereafter, I didn't have to look back as one of the Balaji co-ordinators informed me about Kasamh Se's auditions, where I got through the screen test to be selected for Pushkar's role.

Is Ekta Kapoor really a hard taskmaster on the sets?
She is a gem of a person. She is a stickler for discipline and principles. So, everybody is under this misconception that she throws her weight around.