Barun Sobti, who is amongst the biggest TV stars, is now receiving love and appreciation from the OTT audience after his appearance in Asur and his digital film, Halahal. The actor, who has managed to leave a mark on various platforms, spoke to us about how TV actors' ability is not questioned, however, getting acceptance becomes difficult.
Excerpts from our conversation:
How is Halahal being received by viewers?
The response is pretty awesome. Actually for the first time there has been such a tremendous response for a trailer. People have called me to say, "it's looking good."
When the script came to you, did you imagine yourself as the cop you're playing in the film?
No. I didn't picture anything because it reverses the whole process. It never goes in the favour of the character. In fact, my complete focus was on how I would portray the character.
This is your second crime-based thriller within a span of few months. Is this your favourite genre or was it a co-incidence?
It's actually more of a co-incidence as it got offered to me back to back. Secondly, thriller is one genre which is very difficult to write and I know that. Usually what happens is that the writers end up writing corners at the end which sometimes look stupid. But in these two scripts, that wasn't the case. I had a lot of respect for both the scripts. I was very eager to do them.
In one of your interviews, you said people had typecast you as a TV actor and didn't want to give you the exposure. Has that perception changed now?
I was told many a times that he is a terrific performer but TV ka hai. I never met anyone who had reservations about my ability. However, I think after Asur it has changed to a big extent and I am sure Halahal will add on to it. And I believe my versatility will also work in my favour.
Yet, there are a lot of TV actors who say that they are not easily accepted in Bollywood...
Its true there are lot of TV actors who are not accepted in different mediums. But nobody has told me that you are not capable. I think the TV actors are very seasoned and they are much more capable of adapting than someone who acts for two months or three months in a year. They typecast TV actor saying, 'Yeh TV wala hai to lenge nahi ham'. That's not because they feel he is not capable in terms of acting but they don't have faith that a TV actor can bring in audience in theaters or a web show.
Your Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon fans keep demanding for another season. You think makers should get another season of the show on OTT now?
It's a very good idea that a finite series can be done with the same characters. But maine socha nahi hai kabhi is baare mein kyunki sochne ka kaam mera hai nahi (smiles). If the channel feels that it will work, they may come up with it.
You have explored all the platforms by now. Which is your comfortable space?
My comfort doesn't depend on the medium but with the characters because it is the character which you have to perform. So, that is what makes you feel nervous, comfortable or anxious- depending on how challenging the character is.
What kind of characters you want to do now?
I haven't thought of anything. The whole thing is dependent on what I am being offered. Agar koi particular character mere dimaag mein hota to main likh hi deta apne liye.
Would you like to do more of television?
I don't mind doing TV at all. If revolutionary content will be made on the medium which will change the mindset of people, I would love to be a part of it.
What do you think about the kind of content being telecasted on TV right now?
I don't want watch the content on television. The reason for that is that I know for a fact that jo formatting hai daily telecast ki, usme bhaut kamaal kaam ho hi nahi sakta. It is impossible so unless that formatting changes there can't be meaningful content being churned out.
Digital is growing immensely fast, how do you see the whole change?
I think OTT is now raising the standards for the Film and Television industry.
What attracted you the most- the script or the character in Halahal?
Both. I actually don't go beyond script when it comes to entertaining. Nothing influences my creative decision. If the script is good and I think I can do something which is credible as an actor to the character, I go ahead with it.
Any other projects you are working on?
I have just finished a web series. I think it will come out by end of this year.
Image source: Instagram/barunsobtisays