Karan Wahi Article

"JUST BECAUSE I'M YOUNG DOESN'T MEAN THAT I NEED TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP"

Television is still predominantly about saas-bahu dramas. Even the influx of reality shows hasn't created much of a dent in their popularity. In recent times, only one show displayed the nerve to stand neck-to-neck with the soaps – and that was Remix. An upbeat and boisterous attempt at capturing the complexities of the youth, Remix was like a breath of fresh air. No wonder then that the actors on the show, who were rather unknown prior to that, went on to become household names and heartthrobs as the show started topping the charts.

Karan Wahi, the dashing and desirable Ranveer from the serial, was foremost on the list. He became an instant hit with the girls particularly; the innumerable blogs and Internet sites devoted to him were proof of his unprecedented fame. But then, the show was over and like it always happens in the world of television, the honeymoon period seemed to have ended for the actors too.

Karan tried his luck at movies but none of the projects he seemed interested in took off the planning stage. Now, he's back into the limelight with Sony's new reality dance show, Mr. & Miss TV. Even though the Swapnil Joshi - Purbi Joshi combination eventually won the contest, Karan Wahi and his partner Jaswir Kaur gave them tough competition as they set the dance floor on fire, week after week.

In an industry where people struggle for years to get a foothold, becoming a youth icon at a tender age of 19 is indeed noteworthy. But Karan still has his feet grounded. "Every actor longs for adulation, recognition and fame. Thanks to the fantastic show, Remix, I could pull off all this and much more at a very early stage in my career. Everyone loved me as Ranveer and I am glad that my hard work paid off."

Incidentally, acting wasn't Karan's first career choice as his primary interest lay in sports. As he says, "I am from Delhi and always wanted to be a cricketer. I used to play cricket there but somehow that didn't work out. As my father is a businessman, it was expected of me to get into business too. I even did my graduation in marketing."

He tells us how it all began for him. "Since I used to work out a lot, my father once told me to try my luck at either the Gladrags or the Grasim contest. The thought of getting into modelling or acting never crossed my mind. I simply enjoyed working out and did it purely for the love of it. Still, I got my portfolio clicked and sent it across to various production offices.

I still remember the date when I got a call from Srishti Arya (producer of Remix). It was the 15th of June and on 18th, my audition happened. It was almost like a dream since I was just 19 and I was given a lead role. She took my audition and loved my work. I was called in a week's time and I became an actor by default," he gushes.



Wahi shared a great on-screen chemistry with his co-star Shweta Gulati and being a senior to him, she helped him out. "It was brilliant working with Shweta. In fact, she was quite senior to me and made things much easier. Initially, I found it very difficult to perform in front of the camera and had a vague idea about the camera angles. I used to feel shy even holding Shweta's hands. She helped me a lot. Whatever I have become today is because of everyone's hard work. Shweta is great and fun-loving and hopefully we will work together soon."

One aspect of acting that Karan loves is that he gets the chance to play different characters. The thrill of it makes him tick. "What I actually like about acting is the challenges I face when I am portraying someone who is not even remotely connected to me. It is fun essaying different characters and getting under their skin.

Understanding the nuances of a character and slipping into it seamlessly is what makes acting all the more rewarding. I think it is an adventure and gives me a high like nothing else does. It is fun making people laugh and cry. You actually become a part of the viewer's life," he observes.

When he was doing Remix, there were often stories about Karan's on-the-set hostilities with his co-star Siddhant Karnick. Karan decides to set the record straight. "Siddhant and I became very good friends. When he came to know recently that I was doing Mr. & Miss TV, he messaged me saying, 'You are a superstar whether you win or not!'

We had a lot of fights on screen but there was never any rivalry off-screen. We are best friends till today. You don't need to be someone's rival or hate someone in real life just to bring out that tension on screen. Remix, all in all, was a different genre where all of us were young and hit it off really well. I guess that's what made it so special."

Shooting nonstop can take its toll and Karan feels that's the flip side of being an actor. "Shooting for TV shows round the clock can be crazy sometimes. But you also know that you are here for the love of it. I have learnt a lot of things."

Unlike many other TV actors who use the medium as a platform to make a foray on the big screen, Karan thinks otherwise. "I don't see TV as a stepping stone to films. If you are good enough and also lucky, then you can get a break in films even if you haven't worked in TV. But TV definitely gives you recognition."

Karan speaks about the impact Remix created and the phase following that. "I am not being pompous but after Remix, I was inundated with calls for film narrations. Unfortunately, none of the projects could take off for whatever reasons. I am still in talks with a lot of filmmakers. Right now, everything is on paper.



I want to show the world what I am made of. One thing I have understood about films is that filmmaking isn't easy. Till now I've been offered brilliant character roles and also lead roles. Who wouldn't like to do a lead role though I am not averse to doing good character roles either? I want to deliver strong performances so that people walking out of the cinema halls say, 'Good job!' I have come across some brilliant scripts but unfortunately nothing has started. I am a believer in destiny and things will happen when they have to."

So in the meanwhile, Karan kept himself occupied with Mr. & Miss TV on Sony. "I just loved the idea of a reality show, which has everything from acting, singing to dancing. But at the outset I was worried about my other commitments. And when I knew that it would just take nine days, I jumped at it.

A reality show lasting 10 days was unbelievable. I have given it my best shot and everyone loved my look in it. Though in one of the rounds I fainted and felt bad about it. Since so many people have expectations from me and they cheered for me, I can't let them down."

He then adds, "If you go with the mindset that you just want to win then you are bound to get jittery but I am here to win and also enjoy. If I win, it will be great and in case I don't, I'll still have so many people's compliments. After I performed at the grand finale, everyone stood up and cheered for me. The compliments that I've received from the judges, Madhur (Bhandarkar) and Sonali (Bendre) are priceless."

Karan's new look is the talk of the industry and he claims he has really worked hard towards it. "Even before I entered TV, I was always conscious about the way I looked. I would spend hours and hours before the mirror to get ready. In fact, my family was fed up because of this. I had put on some weight before Mr. & Miss TV so I had to work out in a different manner to pull off a new look.

I think on-screen, one should look perfect. I love the entire concept of acting. Since my school and college days, theatre and dancing were my passion. I would see actors dancing on TV and try those steps so I am pretty adept at dancing too. And since I am flexible, it's an added advantage. I owe my music talent to my mother who is a good singer."



It is hard to believe that Karan is single considering he's such a hot favourite among women. Or is it that he too has a secret girlfriend tucked away from the prying eyes of the public and media? Karan defends the allegation, "I am not seeing anyone. It is hard to believe but I am single and enjoying my single status. I am not lying. I am not even waiting for a girlfriend. I don't have any idea of a perfect lady.

If I start looking for perfection then I'll get screwed. I feel no one is perfect. But there are certainly things that everyone looks for in a partner – like one has to be good looking and also faithful. But I would never put stress on my woman or mould her according to my whims. And I don't expect her to do the same or I'll tell her 'I'm happy by myself.' And at 21, I just can't think of settling down."

Did he ever get attracted to any of his co-stars? "Surprisingly, never. I never got attracted to any of my co-stars and never saw them that way. Everyone pampered me on the sets so maybe there was no room for that kind of a relationship. Just because I am young doesn't mean that I need to be in a relationship," he explains. Some boys just wanna have fun, after all.

hey divs welcome back re long time no see good to see u againnnn and i guess the article is pretty old had been already posted wne Mr and Mrs TV was on air last yr i guess

thnkx
for sharing this article with us sounds
really interesting