JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
EXCLUSIVE: Bahu Begum fame Arjit Taneja on Kumkum Bhagya being lucky, his character and if he would do Naagin
In an exclusive interview with PINKVILLA, Arjit Taneja opened up on the new things he learnt for the character in Bahu Begum, how Kumkum Bhagya has been lucky for him, playing a leading man who has a strong character, and if he would ever do Naagin.
Arjit Taneja played a parallel lead in Kumkum Bhagya and rose to fame with his character Purab that the fans absolutely loved. Post that, he was a part of Kaleerein, and now, he is back with his new stint Bahu Begum where he plays a Muslim character Azaan for the first time. In an exclusive interview with PINKVILLA, Arjit opened up on the new things he learnt for the character, how Kumkum Bhagya has been lucky for him, playing a leading man who has a strong character and if he would ever do Naagin. Check out the excerpts from the interview below.
What made you say yes to Bahu Begum? Any particular reason?
I remember the producer Prateek Sharma had called me after Kaleerein and said that he has something for me. When I heard the character and the script, I really liked it and it is one of those shows where the guy is not just standing. The character is strong and I was so happy and shocked that I was there in the first promo which released. It doesn't happen too much on television (because usually the show is driven by female characters). Overall, the story is amazing. I am playing a Muslim character for the first time and I am very kicked about it. To top it all, the show has an amazing star cast as well.
Any new nuances you learnt to play a Muslim character? Any work on diction?
Initially, I had to work a lot on my hand gestures while greeting because people do it very effortlessly and when I was doing, it looked like I was hitting myself. As far as diction is concerned, they have established that a Nawab does not necessarily mean that he is a 'raja'; like Saif Ali Khan is a Nawab and he is classy. Since usually, the mentality is that if someone is playing a Muslim character then he or she will speak ONLY in Urdu, it is not like that. The character is very real. Of course, we will be using a few Urdu words to give it an authentic touch.
You will be working with Samiksha Jaiswal and Diana Khan for the first time. How has the camaraderie developed so far?
It has been good with both of them. Samiksha and I met in February when we did the mock shoot and since then we got along. Both Samiksha and Diana are really sweet girls and are funny. We bonded really well and I hope it continues.
Shouldering a show is a pressure in itself, do you agree?
It adds responsibility but I think as actors, if there is a sense of responsibility, you perform better. I mean, of course, you get nervous, but then you learn.
Kumkum Bhagya made you quite popular especially amongst the females. Are you in touch with your former co-stars?
That's one thing, Mrunal [Thakur] and I got lucky with; despite being the parallel leads, we got a lot of attention and love. It is one of those few shows which gives that opportunity. I think it is one blessed show. It was my first show and it is just being a blessing to work with those people and some of them are my close friends. I was 20 when I did that show; I have literally grown up there.
Are you aware of the competition you have to face with Kundali Bhagya and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, both TRP toppers?
Of course, I am aware but all three are very different shows, even Kundali Bhagya and YRKKH are very different from each other and yet both have been able to sustain in the same time slot. This is entirely different from those two shows. It is a Muslim show and has a love triangle. So, it all depends on if the audience gets connected to it.
Television, of late, seems to be heavily obsessed with fantasy and supernatural shows. Do you think the content has turned regressive?
It is but I think this show is not regressive. I think television's audience has changed. Earlier, the TRP of the number one show used to be more than 10 or 20, today, people in metropolitan cities, hardly watches TV. Television is a high source of entertainment in slightly tier 2 and 3 cities where people love fantasy, Naagin and other things. The audience must be seeing something in these shows for it to do so well.
Would you be willing to do a supernatural show?
If it is a show like Naagin, then I don't mind but otherwise no. It is one show which does well and it is Balaji and is also one show which looks good comparatively.
Lastly, what about the OTT platforms which are slowly taking over to become the biggest source of entertainment? Your preferred genre?
I would love to do. You know my favourite series is Breaking Bad, if something like this is made in India, then I would be definitely up for it. In terms of Indian series, I think Made in Heaven, Sacred Games, Mirzapur were some shows I absolutely loved.
Latest Articles
