Credits to Aysha
Karan Tacker is BACK on STAR One
He is not new to television, and has been appearing in many ads (including a famous one on fairness creams). He acted in Love Ne Mila Di Jodi as Sameer. His name is Karan and his full name is quite interesting. Karan Tacker is going to play the lead role in STAR One's upcoming show Rang Badalti Odhani. We spoke to him and asked him to tell you what he's really like.
Tell us about the earliest peep into the mirror, when it told you that you were meant for showbiz?
Ha ha! My earliest realization of my narcissism must have been when I was in the 7th standard (12-13 years old)' In fact I even walked the ramp at this age.
What was your childhood like?
Very typical, just like another kid's. I was born in Delhi, but raised in Mumbai. I went to Arya Vidya Mandir, Bandra for my schooling, I was a seedha sada baccha till like my 7th. But then I grew up to be a total brat! I was always doing masti and being punished by my teachers.
I graduated in Marketing and my jump into acting came as no surprise since I loved being a nautanki. I always woke up in the morning and greeted my parents in some or the other actor's voice!
So when did real confidence come to you, that you could take to acting as a profession?
Well as far as confidence is concerned, I'm still in my baby steps stage. So I am still nervous and get cold feet.
What was your first break in acting?
I started doing some ramp shows as a teen, and struggled a lot actually after that. Nothing came easy to me, and I am glad because today I respect every bit of what I am.
It makes my parents proud and there's no feeling like seeing your parents smile when you come up.
I did my first photoshoot for free because I wanted a break and I needed some pictures to circulate as I didn't have a portfolio. After a lot of small jobs, I got Nivea to sign me for their Men's Whitening cream.
And after that it was like any other typical actor's struggle, running from one production house to another, auditioning.
How did television finally happen?
I got a role in Love Ne Mila Di Jodi as a fantastic character called Sameer. I totally loved my journey and am very close to the show as it was my first.
Coming to your upcoming show Odhani, what is your role all about?
I play Shantanu, a rich kid, a little brattish, who has all the money in the world but still life seems incomplete for him.
Do you relate to Shantanu?
I think every young boy, and his mother, can relate to Shantanu because every kid goes through this stage in his life when he's growing up and doesn't know what he's growing into.
I was like that when I was younger so I can relate to it. It's like when you wake up and reach the breakfast table in your pyjamas, not having brushed, while the rest of the family is all suited-booted and ready to go to work. That's Shantanu.
Are you like him in any way?
Shantanu's definitely a dude. But Karan Tacker's a real simple boy. I am not at all the cool guy sorts and I am very simple in that sense. I love being with my family. But it's not that I'm a boring guy! I love going out and having a ball of a time with my buddies.
How did you prepare for the character?
I'll be honest, it was a little difficult for me to play a younger boy because once you mature it gets difficult to reproduce the mannerisms, and basically to think like a younger boy. You are used to thinking in a more mature way. But I have a brilliant director who took me through my character and really helped me understand and get into the head of Shantanu.
Before each scene I sit with her trying to understand how she perceives the scene. So basically she shows me the path and I walk on it..
Is there any actor whose mannerisms you follow?
I don't follow any actor in particular but certainly I love watching films because of some actors and their performances. I simply love SRK and Amitabh, superb actors.
How much do you believe in Indian rituals and culture?
I am a totally desi boy. I love all the rituals and am totally cultured, thanks to the upbringing of my beautiful mother. In fact I love doing all the Diwali poojas myself, so basically I am the self proclaimed pandit of my house. I really believe in Ganeshji.
Credits to Dew-drop
Star One seeks to reach the new-age woman through disruptive protagonists and inspirational stories of its two new shows
Changing its focus from 15-25 to a broader 15 to 35-year-old audience, Star One promises a spanking new array of content comprising an entertaining mix of fiction, drama and reality shows. The new line-up of shows is a result of an in-depth research conducted by the channel which, according to its general manager Nikhil Mirchandani, threw up glaring gaps and startling new information on changing viewership trends as also a new set of audiences with a certain entertainment needs. Hence, with the aim of expanding its viewership base and filling these gaps, Star One is adding a range of new, refreshing and differentiated content in its prime-time band with the launch of two fiction shows from this week.
The shows are Geet - Hui Sabse Parayi and Rang Badalti Odhani. Geet... is a story of an 18-year- old Punjabi girl, who is abandoned by an NRI husband and how she faces the challenges and stands for the rights and values she believes in. ...Odhani, on the other hand, which is based in a village in Gujarat, is about a girl who takes destiny in her own hands when she is widowed at a very young age. "Both the shows present strong characters and issues not seen on other channels. They mirror desires and dreams of today's woman, who wants to chart out her own future. The protagonists of Geet... and ...Odhani are strong and assertive women, unlike the sacrificing and suffering protagonists of other shows. Also, the focus of these shows will not be extended joint families but the protagonists and other key characters that impact their lives," says Nikhil.
Having identified its core viewer, challenging convention and stereotypes through emotionally-inspiring storylines is going to be the channel's main focus. The core viewer, according to Nikhil, is the 23-year-old woman from Bhopal or any other small city or town who is young, confident and has a convincing and non-confrontationist approach. "She is the new-age woman who wants to work and empower herself," says Nikhil, adding, "Her on-screen fictional representation will have a disruptive and clutter-breaking effect." However, Star One is not completely doing away with its old image of an entertainment destination for youth that promised mischief, fun, friendship and romance. Not immediately, at least.
"We have shows like Milley Jab Hum Tum and Dill Mill Gaye that have a younger skew. But our core viewer has grown up. She used to be 18 and now she will be 23. Our key content drivers will be inspirational stories and strong protagonists," asserts Nikhil. He claims that Star One will reach as much as 75 per cent of the total TV audience universe with its new key content-drivers. "Both from audience and advertising perspective, the core and broader TGs have immense potential for growth," he adds. The makeover and re-branding seem to be right. Now we need to wait for the result.
Are you a food Lover? 
You entered the small screen as host of Star Sansaar on Star Plus. So how did that happen?
Cricket
