Kinshuk's interview from Showtime (August Issue)
Kinshuk, "When the Time is Right She will be Presented to the World!"
PIX:
INTERVIEW:
He believes in living life king-size in the fast and the furious lane; he is ambitious to the core and makes no bones about it. That's Kinshuk Mahajan aka Ranvir from Bidaai who has set many a heart aflutter of late with his chocolate-boy looks. After much fanfare, this self-made man from Delhi wants to take things easy and make the most of his telly career by giivng his best to the assignments in hand instead of taking on too much on his plate.
Kinshuk harbored ambitions of joining the industry and armed with a degree in direction he could'nt have gone wrong with his passion. The movie buff came to Mumbai three years ago in search of assignments in the television industry and there has been no looking back thereafter. Offers have been pouring in without much of a break in his career, but Kinshuk is in no hurry to reach the top.
The actor claims he was well aware that it would not be a cakewalk to enter the industry and struggle his way through an industry, which is already full of hopefuls. As he says," I did'nt want to come to this industry unprepared and wanted to knwo the nuances of the medium thoroughly. I was sure I didn't want to fail and come back as a loser. I was a part of the Shreeram College of Arts and did a lot of theatre work there. While doing theatre, I got my first break for Dhoom Machao Dhoom and then Mumbai beckoned. The producer of the show, Ravina Raj Kohli, made all the provisions for me - from my stay to everything possible under the sun. So my initial struggle wasn't bad. Several people told me that one needed to have contacts but I believe it's only your hard work and luck that takes you places. I have always done what I have believed in and what I have wanted to."
Post Dhoom... Kinshuk was flooded with assignments but not exactly of the right kind; that explains his stints in Kajjal (as a substitute actor) and an insignificant role in the film, Delhi Heights. "After six months of Dhoom... I started looking for work and got Kaajjal, which was a revamped show. And soon Rajan Shahi saw me in the promos of Kaajjal and called me instantaneously to finalise for Ranvir's character in Bidaai. I was skeptical to begin with because the producer himself was calling me without having to go through any auditions. But Rajan put in immense confidence in me and I was convinced with his conviction," says a visibly pleased Kinshuk.
Today, Kinshuk has no regrets whatsoever in the choice of roles he has pusued so far. Friends from the industry had convinced him against getting paired opposite Parul Chauhan as they felt the duo looked strange together. "I was told Ragini and Ranvir may not click because both are opposites. There were talks that Ragini looked mature while Ranvir looked much younger. But in fact, I was supposed to look younger, going by the storyline. I believed in my producer and now we are a hit pair on screen," he states matter-of-factly.
I notice that Kinshuk is more comfortable with his on-screen as well as his off-screen chemistry with Parul rather than Sara Khan. But he prefers to take the diplomatic route. "I respect both and am very fond of both of them equally. Parul is like a grandma and she mummies me all the time. She keeps explaining things to me. On the contrary, Sara is like a kid so we all have to explain the do's and don'ts to her. I have different equations with both of them. I am, of course, comfortable with Parul as we spend more time and do things together. We all are professionals, but with Parul I am more at ease as we have become good friends playing the role of husband-wife in the show. While with Sara it is clearly a devar-bhabhi relation," he points out.
There have been talks about the fierce competition between Kinshuk and Angad Hasija on the show but the actor shows no sign of it. He explains," When I had signed Bidaai, Angad wasn't even auditioned for the role. We all felt that that Angad's character of a mentally challenged guy would obviously get a lot of sympathy. I still believe that my character is more popular and is a hit with with the female population. Ranvir's character is quite like what Hrithik was in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. He takesthe story and track ahead. Our fan following is fairly different. In real life we are like brothers; we are matured individuals and we don't need to ride on popularity votes. Our families know each other as well. And there is really no big deal here."
Despite his soaring popularity, Kinshuk prefers to keep a low profile and isn't media savvy like his other co-actors. Isn't that a disadvantage? "People think I don't talk too much, but I don't like to blabber unnecessarily. I like to talk sense and I am careful or conscious of the people I am talking to," he maintains.
The only regret that the young actor probably has is his disastrous film debut in the totally forgettable Delhi Heights. But he's not willing to let that episode affect his confidence. He looks back and says," At that time, I was very young. I had not even finished doing Dhoom... when I was selected for this movie. For me to do a Bollywood film without having a filmi bakground was huge. And it was Sivaji Ganeshan's production house from the South offering me a role. I would have been a fool to refuse it then. I was kicked to work with a seasoned actor like Om Puri. If Om Puri could sign a film without thinking twice, then I was only a rank newcomer so I had to agree without blinking an eyelid. And needless to say, I learnt alot. As an actor, I am hungry for quality roles be it any medium. We all make mistakes and take risks by taking up varied shows but it's natural. I am here for the money, fame and love."
Despite being one of the most eligible guys around, it's strange that Kinshuk doesn't have a girlfriend yet. Or at least he's not ready to reveal her to the world. "I don't want to show my girl now," he says. "When the time is right, she will be presented to the world. I will shout from the rooftops to declare her existence in my life. And I will never marry a girl from the same profession. I want her to be homely and away from the limelight. I want to be the ideal husband for her to be my perfect wife. As of now, my personal life is very much personal."
Our sources tell us the mystery girlfriend is tucked away somewhere in Delhi, which also explains his frequent trips to Delhi. "It could be possible. I go to Delhi for personal reasons," he chuckles like a kid.
Sometime back, however, Kinshuk was rumored to be dating Chaahat Khanna of Kaajjal fame, which, according to him, was a publicity gimmick. "Many actors left the show because stories were being planted by the unit members or the channel to promote the dying sho. I couldn't put up with the crap being written about me for the sake of TRPs," he states firmly.
Even as his career is on the upswing, Kinshuk is abit wary of doing reality shows, which are on the high right now. And he has his own reasons for that. "I want to do one show at a time. And all the reality shows are practically the same so there is no variety left in this genre as well. I can't take up anything that comes my way. I like Sach Ka Saamna though and I wouldn't mind hosting a show like that. I am not after money; I am making enough money and getting work satisfaction by the virtue of my show. There was a time when I used to stand outside the T-series office to meet someone and give my pictures to the so-called contacts provided by my friends, but it never helped. But post Bidaai, I got offers from the same company and I did an album with Tulsi Kumar, which is getting me good reviews. Besides, I also did Asha Bhonsle's album for which she personally called me to offer me the assignment. I share a mother-son relationship with her. I am touched by the kind of love I am getting from viewers."
Not many people are aware that Kinshuk had been offered to host Nach Baliye with co-star Parul Chauhan but because of date problems they had to refuse. "In fact, I get offers everyday for shows but somehow I am not convinced about the assignments I get. Right now, my first priority is Bidaai. I can take up more shows provided I slog day and night and divide time between the shows. We are not stopped from earning money from outside of the show but the serial shouldn't be affected."
A self-confessed mama's boy, Kinshuk now wants his parents to shift to Mumbai because he's started feeling rather lonely out here. "I am a very homely guy and love spending time with my parents. There haven't been any drawbacks of staying alone in the city except for the fact that one has to take leave and pay the various monthly bills," he smiles thoughtfully and adds," If I am successful and don't have a personal life then the achievement is of no use to me. As an actor I have had insecurities about my job and my family has been my emotional support system. Watching them feel proud of me makes me feel on top of the world. My mother keeps cuttings of my interviews, watches all my interviews on channels and makes it a point to also watch the repeats of my shows as many times as possible. I believe that the lifespan of an actor is limited- out of sight is out of mind. You can achieve the impossible only with your hard work and shouldn't let the fame get to you or rule over you."
And there are also the perks that come with the job- the fan following being the best part. Kinshuk agrees," Oh, i love those kinds of crazy incidents. There's this girl who is a huge fan and pleaded with her boyfriend to get my autograph for her. So he came all the way to meet me- that was a cute gesture. I spoke to the girl and once in a while, I talk to both of them to make them happy. Like I wished her on her birthday so that made her day and made me feel great too," he smiles with thoughtfulness.
Almost going the self-introspective way, Kinshuk adds, "I am a good guy and don't like to hurt anyone. But if someone is rubbing me the wrong way I know how to handle the person intelligently without being overtly aggressive about it. I am a sensible and caring guy at heart."
Presently, Kinshuk is undoubtedly one of the most sought after actors on TV, but where does he see his future? "I am not worrying or planning too much. I want to give my best to whatever I set out for. O would look at direction and production and am open to starting my business as well. But my preference is acting as I am passionate about it and I see myself being a part of this industry for a long time," he says seriously. He's got the determination for that, so we take his word for it.
-Kavita Shyam
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