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I didnt know I was this famous!
Small screen heartthrob Barun Sobti clears the air about his temporary break from TV,shares his Bollywood dreams and why his fans mean the world to him
Shruti Jambhekar
His decision to move on from television (and the show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon) led to fan uproar and pulled the plugs on a soap for the first time ever in the history of Indian television.Barun Sobti,easily among the most talked about small screen stars of 2012,modestly confesses that he still cant believe hes a superstar and is coming to terms with the fan frenzy. The down-to-earth actor seems to be in a happy space post a well-deserved break in the UK followed by some quality time with family in Delhi.Excerpts from an interview:
Your show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon was in news for a long time,ever since reports trickled in about your quitting and talks of a new actor replacing you surfaced.And then the show went off air abruptly.What was going on in your mind at that point
I was not in India when the entire controversy happened,so it didnt affect me too much in the beginning.But,I was really startled with the way things suddenly went against me and a certain section of people started blaming me for being instrumental in shutting down the show.I was hurt of course.I didnt like being accused of something I didnt do and at one point everything I was saying was getting misrepresented.Thats when I decided to be positive,stay calm and remain quiet.I think it is important not to scream from the rooftops to make yourself heard,I want my work to do the talking for me.I believe that being honest to oneself and ones work is all that matters.
Did you know that you had such a huge fan following Or that the fans would collectively pressurise the channel to end the show if you were not part of it
I seriously cant believe even now that I have so many fans who love me this much! At the end of the day,I am just an ordinary guy who goes to work and does a slightly more glamourous job than others.I am really very simple in real life.Im very grateful to all those fans who love me.You know,I find it so weird when the media calls me small screen super star.I dont think Im one! My fans love me because Im one of them.It feels strange even now I dont know how to react when a fan gushes over me!
Small screen heartthrob Barun Sobti clears the air about his temporary break from TV,shares his Bollywood dreams and why his fans mean the world to him
Shruti Jambhekar
His decision to move on from television (and the show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon) led to fan uproar and pulled the plugs on a soap for the first time ever in the history of Indian television.Barun Sobti,easily among the most talked about small screen stars of 2012,modestly confesses that he still cant believe hes a superstar and is coming to terms with the fan frenzy. The down-to-earth actor seems to be in a happy space post a well-deserved break in the UK followed by some quality time with family in Delhi.Excerpts from an interview:
Your show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon was in news for a long time,ever since reports trickled in about your quitting and talks of a new actor replacing you surfaced.And then the show went off air abruptly.What was going on in your mind at that point
I was not in India when the entire controversy happened,so it didnt affect me too much in the beginning.But,I was really startled with the way things suddenly went against me and a certain section of people started blaming me for being instrumental in shutting down the show.I was hurt of course.I didnt like being accused of something I didnt do and at one point everything I was saying was getting misrepresented.Thats when I decided to be positive,stay calm and remain quiet.I think it is important not to scream from the rooftops to make yourself heard,I want my work to do the talking for me.I believe that being honest to oneself and ones work is all that matters.
Did you know that you had such a huge fan following Or that the fans would collectively pressurise the channel to end the show if you were not part of it
I seriously cant believe even now that I have so many fans who love me this much! At the end of the day,I am just an ordinary guy who goes to work and does a slightly more glamourous job than others.I am really very simple in real life.Im very grateful to all those fans who love me.You know,I find it so weird when the media calls me small screen super star.I dont think Im one! My fans love me because Im one of them.It feels strange even now I dont know how to react when a fan gushes over me!
Barun Sobti
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Many of your audiences had threatened to commit suicide if you were to be replaced in your last show.Did you know that I heard about that and was shocked.When I got to know that audiences were thinking of hurting themselves for me and the show it hurt me a lot.Im thankful to my audience for admiring me for my work and I want them to continue to support me,but I dont ever want them to hurt themselves ! I never expected to be this famous,but I cant deny that my fame makes me very happy.For any actor it is a wonderful phase to be in when so many people love you for your work.I hope they continue to love me in the future too. How does your wife Pashmeen react to this tremendous fan frenzy She understands how the profession is,so she is cool.Sometimes she doesnt react and some times she is startled too.I guess we are yet to come to terms with the kind of fan following I seem to have! And TV Are you going to return to it any time soon For the time being,Ive no TV shows on hand.I would love to do some interesting reality shows,but that doesnt mean I wont do a daily soap.Ill do a soap when theres a good offer.The only downside of working for a daily soap is that you have to put in very long work hours and that physically stresses you a lot,leaving you almost no time for yourself or your family.I think industry veterans should come to a solution on the kind of working hours of actors,so that no one finds it taxing to do a daily show.If the work hours are reduced,then every actor/crew member would benefit. What lies ahead for you Ive recently signed a movie based on cricket which is going to be directed by former sports journalist Mitali Ghoshal.I was very impressed with the script.Professionally,I am in a good phase.Im looking forward to working at a relaxed pace,enjoying what I do and hoping better things shape up for me. Are you enjoying this break Well,I dont know (laughs after a pause).I dont know bolne ki itni aadat lag gayi hai mujhe.Actually it feels great! Ive worked continuously for a year without a break this one was much needed.I had a great time in UK.We (my wife and I) travelled a lot,ate some great food and had fun.I also spent some time with my family in Delhi.Now,I feel lighter,better and happier and I am raring to do some good work. Barun Sobti |
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