'TV actors are taken for a ride because they are scared of running out of work'

'The working standards on television in our country are really bad. The sad part is that many actors take this deal because it gets them money and recognition.'

Telly heartthrob Barun Sobti tells us why he quit TV.

Actor Barun Sobti became a popular star after the success of his television serial Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon. 

When he opted out of the show, his fans were enraged, and the show was discontinued almost overnight. 

Sobti will now make his movie debut in this Friday’s release Main Aur Mr Right. 

He tells Rajul Hegde/ Rediff.com why he walked out of the TV show, and about his new film. 

The film has been much delayed. Was it frustrating to wait so long for your first film? 

No. My job was done and I know I will get my due. 

Producers don’t get the desired slots to release films and sometimes there are delays due to editing and dubbing.  

I was excited about shooting for the film, but now I am anxious about the release and the response. 

How did you bag this film?

The director had probably seen my television show (Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon). They asked me to act a couple of scenes and liked it. It was a simple script and so I liked it. 

I play a guy called Sukhvinder Singh, who wants to be an actor. He is crass, ill-mannered, loud and goofs around. 

I had to do lot of mental preparation before I started shooting. I kept observing people around me to get into the skin of the character.

Are you a good dancer?

No. There is this one step in a song that took 19 takes and I still couldn’t get it right! Eventually, I guess they zeroed in on one of the takes. 

Thankfully, the song has come out well. 

How difficult was is it to move to films when you were very popular on television?

I didn’t leave TV for films; I left it due to health issues. 

I wasn't keeping well and I was losing weight due to the long working hours. 

I signed Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon only for a year. But the producer requested me to stay on as the show had just started to make money. 

I carried on and in the process, the character became very popular.

When I finally gave up, changing the actor for that character was difficult so the show ended.

Your fans were quite upset when you quit the show. 

Yes. The makers and I had to create a video to clarify things. I try to stay away from all this as far as I can, as it can drive you crazy.

Many television actors are moving to films. 

It’s a good time to be an actor. 

Television people were looked down upon in a sense. I think that gap is being bridged now. 

Good producers and directors are willing to cast actors who have done good stuff on television. 

How different is acting in films from television? 

For an actor there is no difference when performing. 

The working hours are easy in films while there is always an anxiety on television. So the energies are very different.

What was it like working with your co-star Shenaz Treasury? 

She is a chilled-out person but there was very little time to talk because she kept laughing most of the time (smiles). 

The chemistry in the film is fun rather than intense. There is a conflict of interest which is cute. 

Would you make a comeback on television? 

Yes, I would if I have a good script. 

But I don’t want to do a daily soap. I doubt if I will ever do a reality show either.

The working standards on television in our country are really bad. The sad part is that many actors take this deal because it gets them money and recognition. 

They are taken for a ride because they are scared of running out of work. This allows the system to exploit them. The strain drains away the confidence with which they had arrived.  

What did you do between television and films? 

I spent time with my family and worked out.

Offers came my way but I didn’t take up anything. I prefer to wait for something that genuinely interests me.

How did your wife react to the trailer? 

Oh, she loved it! 

What’s the status of your other two films? 

Satra Ko Shaadi Hai was shot in Bhopal. It was a long schedule. 

It was nice shooting with John Abraham for a day; he is doing a cameo in the film. The film should be out early next year.

We are still filming 22 Yards in Kolkata. I am struggling with the water over there because it doesn’t suit me.

Any funny fan incident you would like to share? 

There are so many, I am writing a script on how funny a television actor’s life can be.

There was this one time when my wife was trying out some footwear in a shopping mall. A family was standing in front of the shop and discussing whether it’s me or someone else.

I sat with my head down and started checking my phone. Suddenly, a kid slides in and says, ‘Wohi hai, wohi hai!’ and runs out. That was hilarious.

How did you get into acting? 

My school friends, Karan Wahi and Priyanka Bassi, have been in acting since the age of 19. They told me that I should get into television. 

At that time, I was supporting my family and did not want to experiment. 

Obviously, it takes time. My first show took six months to take off. Later, Karan was about to do a show but due to monetary issues, things didn’t work out. So he forwarded my pictures. 

I took up the show with whatever they gave me. And that’s how I started acting at the age of 26.