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EXCLUSIVE: Shakti Arora on Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka and why his romance with wife Neha Saxena is a disaster
Shakti Arora, in an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, spoke about why he and his wife Neha are not the "ideal" romantic couple and also spilled the beans about his show and if he is feeling jitters about how the audience will react to the show.
Shakti Arora, who shot to fame with his show Meri Aashiqui Tume Hi, is currently playing a die heart romantic character Kunal in his new show Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka. The show premiered on June 4 and Shakti has been garnering good reviews for his subtle portrayal as Kunal.
Shakti is seen opposite both Drashti Dhami and Aditi Sharma in the new age marital drama. Interestingly, the actor also tied the knot recently with longtime girlfriend Neha Saxena. With Silsila, Shakti returns to the small screen after a long gap. In an exclusive chat with Pinkvilla, Shakti, who is known for his witty side, joked how he and his wife Neha are not the "ideal" romantic couple and also spilled the beans about his show and if he is feeling jitters about how the audience will react to the show.
Back to the sets after a long time and more interestingly after marriage, how was it to be back to the grind?
The only thing I feel tedious about returning to the sets of a TV show is working for 15-16 hours a day for 25-26 days at a stretch. Otherwise, I love the whole process, the way we work on our craft, talk about the character, how we bring different shades to the same character.
Your first day on sets was..
The first day on the sets was really nice, getting to know each other. It was amazing and now we are finally very good friends. We also have a Whatsapp group called Silsila, we keep chatting there and discuss who is coming late (laughs).
Why Kunal? Why not any other character?
When I heard the story, I had already started making a graph in my head on how the character will grow.. I had goosebumps listening to it and that happens very rarely. And I was like this is a good show and I was convinced that if I get it, I will do it. I also felt that I was apt for this role. Also, I felt that I can bring in a lot of me into Kunal. I felt I could justify the character and bring in the intensity required. You have to feel kicked about it. This is also a character which I haven't done before. In Meri Aashiqui, I played a suit-boot kinda character but this character is very real, it is very relatable. It is more of me, apart from what he goes through and how life changes for him, that’s a different thing.
Coming back with a matured love story which potentially struggles to find a base in the rural sector.. did you feel apprehensive at any point?
No. I think you have to give a different type of content to people. Otherwise, they will get bored. I do agree TRP toppers are sci-fi and fantasy series but I am the one who cannot connect to those shows or do justice to it. That is why I don't do them. I don't do historic, mythological shows. You have to give something different to the audience and romance is like formulae no 44 which people have tagged me as a romantic so if I am good at it, why not do it? And I was not apprehensive about it at all. I have had scripts which I was doubtful about but this was one character I heard and I was thrilled to do it.
Will you call yourself a romantic person in real life?
I am not romantic in real life, I am a masti-khor. My wife Neha is also not a romantic. Whenever we try to get all romantic, it turns out to be a disaster. We are more of best friends, we were never the typical couple kind.
Has your changed marital status now helped you play a husband onscreen?
If you have been in a relationship, it teaches you everything, frustration, anger, love, everything (laughs).
Was it a deliberate move to keep your wedding a secret?
We had planned about this long back and we were free for quite some time. We thought this was the right time wherein we will get proper time for honeymoon and everything. The problem with us earlier was that both of us were very busy, so in that case, what happens is we both couldn’t get the rosy time you need post marriage and we wanted that. Also, we never wanted to make a lot of noise about it. I am a very private person and so is she.
How did Neha react to the promo?
She loved the promo. She felt that the show has something in it which will strike the right chord.
Finally, are you feeling the jitters?
Yes, I am. I am thinking about it (audience's reaction) because I am coming after a long time so I am feeling the anxiety.
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