| Back in action: Apoorva Agnihotri |
Television's angry young man
After playing Armaan Sir in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, Apoorva Agnihotri is back on TV with Sony's new show Kaajjal
Ranjib Mazumder
You are back with Sony's new show Kaajjal after a hiatus. How does it feel?
I am feeling very energetic as I have had the much-needed break. I was totally exhausted after working in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin for three years. It is great to be back at work totally rejuvenated.
What made you choose Kaajjal after having played Armaan Sir in Jassi…?
I decided working on Kaajjal based on the three important 'S' factors - a good script, the right star cast and that the show will be aired on Sony. Surveen is a very good actor and Rati Agnihotri is playing my mother in the serial. I am very excited about my role in Kaajjal.
What is your character in Kaajjal all about?
I play Dev Pratap Singh in the show. He hates the world around him, he hates life. Then Kaajjal comes into his life and changes everything. Dev starts seeing life from a new angle. My character is all about reviving the angry young man image of the '70s and '80s on the small screen.
Do you think you can recreate the Jassi… magic once again?
Jassi… and Kaajjal have a different story line altogether. The only similarity is that both the shows are love stories. At the end of the day Jassi… was also a love story. I am confident that Kaajjal will be as big a hit as Jassi…
Though you play the lead roles in your shows, they are mostly woman-oriented. Doesn't that bother you?
The fact is that cinema is different from TV, as it's male-dominated. The small screen is dominated by women. Most of the shows on TV have women protagonists. I have no problem playing the male lead in a show that is woman-centric.
What did you do in the period after Jassi… and before working on Kaajjal?
I did not get any scripts that excited me before Kaajjal. I was completely relaxed and chilled and had a good time having maa ke haath ka khana. However, my mother told me that I have relaxed long enough and now it is time to get back to having unit food!
Since you have also done films, did you try to bag films in this period?
No, I did not try for films as I am happy with my work on television. And no, I don't have any friends in the film industry.
Are you not interested in films any more?
I can't go begging for roles in films.
Do you think that television is a more secure medium than cinema?
When you are doing a TV show, you are sure of work for two-three years. It's not that TV is a more secure or better medium than cinema, but it is growing very fast.
Why do you stay away from the media?
I prefer to maintain silence when I have nothing important to say. I don't want to be in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Yet your wife Shilpa is very media-friendly.
Shilpa is a friendly person. Shilpa and I are complete opposites. She is very open and I am shy by nature.
Which is your favourite TV programme?
I watch only Discovery and Animal Planet. And since I am busy shooting most of the time, I don't even catch up on my own show.
Cricket
Bigg Boss 19
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
