My daughter s my best critic
Mohnish Behl talks about his character in Ek Ladki and the women in his life.
As the silent, brooding and intense Veerendra in Ek Ladki Anjaani Si (Sony), actor Mohnish Behl has brought in an element of understated romance and a revved up interest in the show. But Mohnish refuses to take credit. He says, It s a team effort, not an individual contribution. But elaborating on the intrigue surrounding his character, Mohnish says, The prima-facie of Veerendra is his tormented past and his equation with the leading protagonists (Kanchi Kaul and Shakti Anand).
Interestingly, Mohnish s presence in a show has always added value, be it as Dr Sheshank in Sanjeevani or the vile Vikram in Devi . He comments, Yes, it did feel nice to play both good and evil in these shows and even win awards simultaneously for them.
Ask why he quit Kahanii Ghar Ghar Ki , a show where he was beginning to cut ice in and he explains, I was slated to play a cameo in the show. But then they wanted me to hook up with Parvati (Sakshi Tanwar) as she had lost her husband Om (Kiran Karmarkar). I don t like replacing any actor or character in a show, as comparisons then get inevitable. He adds, It becomes a difficult bill to fit. You then have to toe the line.
Also Mohnish has been one actor who has juggled films with TV rather well. He delineates the strengths of both the mediums saying, In TV you have to complete shooting the episodes on time. You can t get into detailing as you can in films. But you do have another episode to correct yourself, an opportunity you do not get in films.
Quiz him on his female fan following and he brushes it aside saying, I only have the following of my wife Ekta and daughter Pranutan. My daughter is my best critic and chides me to lose weight. Any imprints left on him by his mother, the legendary actor Nutan? He answers softly, Oh plenty! But I guess I have inherited her sincerity towards life and an intense belief in a supreme power.