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On his birthday today, Avinash Sachdev has been facing a lot of flak for his portrayal of Shlok Agnihotri in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon €" Ek Baar Phir. He speaks to CT about playing a male chauvinist, comparisons with Barun Sobti, facing the ire of the fans of original show, and the promo of the show making a history itself.
Buzz is that you were set to replace Barun Sobti in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon(IPKKND)?
Yes, I had auditioned and was even finalized. But then the show went off air.
How did you land the role of Shlok Agnihotri?
When I auditioned for this show in January, nobody knew that this show would be called IPKKND Ek Baar Phir. My character was that of a good guy and the look was also very different. When we started shooting in April, my character changed to that of a male chauvinist. Then also the names doing the rounds were Iss Dil Ka Kya Karoon, Darde Dil etc. Only last week I came to know that it is being called IPKKND Ek Baar Phir.
What attracted you to the show initially?
It was a love story. It was a show which focused on my character rather than on my mother or wife. Though the story of Chhoti Bahudid not focus on me, I never imagined it would get me such fame. And here, the story revolves around Shlok and Aastha Kirloskar.
Tell us about your character
Shlok is a bad boy €" cold and rude. He is a dynamic business tycoon, who believes he can win anything. He is sporty, adventurous, drives a Ferrari, loves to challenge himself and doesn't respect women. He hates Aastha. They are poles apart. Whenever they cross each other, Shlok's business goes for a toss and he thinks she is unlucky for him. As a negative character, I discovered a lot of things which I can do, which I hadn't done earlier. There are a lot of surprises in the show.
How is your chemistry with Shrenu Parikh?
It's been very good and we hope to keep it up. Shrenu's character mirrors her in real life. She plays a jovial and chirpy girl.
Do you hope to recreate Barun-Sanaya's chemistry?
I hope to create my own chemistry. When I signed the show, it was a different show and I gave my 100 %. Today when it is the sequel of IPKKND, I am still giving my 100%.
You reportedly questioned Barun's professionalism in leaving the show mid-way... would you never leave a show mid way, even if you are offered a big banner movie?
That's what the reporter said, it was not my comment. I told the journalist what I would have done if I was in the same situation. It was a misunderstanding and I was portrayed in a negative light. Why would I comment about Barun?
As far as I am concerned, work is work, whether it's Bollywood, Hollywood, TV or reality show. Whatever comes first will get my full commitment. While I was doing Chhoti Bahu, I was offered some films, but I did not take them up.
Have you seen the original IPKKND? I was really busy when it was on air, so much so that I didn't even get the time to watch my own show.
Are you watching it now to get an insight?
I am taking this show as I would have done with any show or had it been named anything else. Just because the names of the show are same, doesn't mean the show is similar.
Are you aware that the fans of season one want the name of this show to be changed? Yes I got a lot of tweets, and I also replied to the respected fans saying that it's not in my hand. In fact these are beyond an actor's purview. I am supposed to do my work.
Is the name of the show posing a challenge for you?
The show was already a challenge since my image is of Kalyug's Lord Krishna €" as my character was in Chhoti Bahu. In this show, I am Kalyug's Raavan. I play a male chauvinist who does not respect women and believes that a woman is incomplete without a man. Now, with the name, it has become a bigger challenge.
I believe its destiny. When we started shooting in April, we didn't know that this would be a sequel. Still, we were using the shooting studio of IPKKND. Now, I am being compared to Barun and my chemistry with Shrenu is being compared to Barun and Sanaya Irani.
Now the show is on my shoulders, as I am both the bad guy and the good guy. But I am much happier with the negative role as I have done a positive for four years.
Do you think it would have been easier for you if the show was called something else?
It would have been the same. I would have put in as much hard work as I am putting now. Showko kya naam mila hai usse mujhe koi fark nahi padta. What works for a show is the concept, script, chemistry. With the show's name being IPKKND, fans of the show are comparing me with Barun. I am sure Barun won't mind as wouldn't I. I am also getting a lot of messages from my fans. Some people are happy and some are not. I cannot make the whole world happy. I understand the emotions of the fans. When Chhoti Bahu was taken off air during its peak, my fans also felt the same. That is why its sequel was made.
I think people will watch my show if my work is good. Even if the name is different and people don't like my work, they won't see it.
Is this show an adaptation of the original or is it a sequel?
IPKKND is the concept. We are not comparing it with season 1, which was a cult show. Shlok and Aastha have a different identity. The name of the show is just a situation for the two protagonists. Somewhere in the show they would keep wondering Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?
What do you think of sequels, considering that the sequel of Chhoti Bahu did not do that well?
I don't think it didn't do well. Though it had the same cast as Part 1, it did not do as well compared to Part 1. But in IPKKND €" Ek Baar Phir, the cast and the plot are completely different, so I don't know what the fate of this would be. I am happy to be a part of both the sequels (Chhoti Bahu and IPKKND).
Does the reaction of the fans of the original season irk you?
If I would have been a die hard fan of a show, I would have thought that kuch na hone se behtar hai ki kuch to hai. At least IPKKND wapas aya to hai. Chal kar dekhte hain ki yeh naya banda kya karta hai. And then if I don't like the show, I won't watch it.
I understand that people get attached to a show. Since I have done a sequel, I know how it is. If Chhoti Bahu's sequel had come with any other cast, my fans would have had the same reaction. The fans are right in their way.
The promo of the show hasn't been well received...
The promo has got 88,000 views on YouTube as of yet, of which it has got 2,000 dislikes and 192 likes. This is I think a first for Indian television. I have never seen a promo creating history in itself.
Does all the negativity regarding the show get to you sometime?
Mujhe bahut pyaar mil chukka hai, so I am now comfortable with nafrat also. Ismein ek alag mazza hai.
What would you say to Barun if you meet him now?
I have met Barun once during the beginning of his career as we were doing shows for the same production house. I think if we both meet now, we would just laugh. I came to know that he is also born a day ahead of me, so we have a lot of coincidences.
Do you think the leads of a daily show are left with no personal life?
No I don't think so. I am working like crazy in this industry since six years. Still I am getting time to be with family and friends. Whenever I get time I go to Lonavala or Mahabaleswar. I haven't missed out on anything.
Buzz is that you were set to replace Barun Sobti in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon(IPKKND)?
Yes, I had auditioned and was even finalized. But then the show went off air.
How did you land the role of Shlok Agnihotri?
When I auditioned for this show in January, nobody knew that this show would be called IPKKND Ek Baar Phir. My character was that of a good guy and the look was also very different. When we started shooting in April, my character changed to that of a male chauvinist. Then also the names doing the rounds were Iss Dil Ka Kya Karoon, Darde Dil etc. Only last week I came to know that it is being called IPKKND Ek Baar Phir.
What attracted you to the show initially?
It was a love story. It was a show which focused on my character rather than on my mother or wife. Though the story of Chhoti Bahudid not focus on me, I never imagined it would get me such fame. And here, the story revolves around Shlok and Aastha Kirloskar.
Tell us about your character
Shlok is a bad boy €" cold and rude. He is a dynamic business tycoon, who believes he can win anything. He is sporty, adventurous, drives a Ferrari, loves to challenge himself and doesn't respect women. He hates Aastha. They are poles apart. Whenever they cross each other, Shlok's business goes for a toss and he thinks she is unlucky for him. As a negative character, I discovered a lot of things which I can do, which I hadn't done earlier. There are a lot of surprises in the show.
How is your chemistry with Shrenu Parikh?
It's been very good and we hope to keep it up. Shrenu's character mirrors her in real life. She plays a jovial and chirpy girl.
Do you hope to recreate Barun-Sanaya's chemistry?
I hope to create my own chemistry. When I signed the show, it was a different show and I gave my 100 %. Today when it is the sequel of IPKKND, I am still giving my 100%.
You reportedly questioned Barun's professionalism in leaving the show mid-way... would you never leave a show mid way, even if you are offered a big banner movie?
That's what the reporter said, it was not my comment. I told the journalist what I would have done if I was in the same situation. It was a misunderstanding and I was portrayed in a negative light. Why would I comment about Barun?
As far as I am concerned, work is work, whether it's Bollywood, Hollywood, TV or reality show. Whatever comes first will get my full commitment. While I was doing Chhoti Bahu, I was offered some films, but I did not take them up.
Have you seen the original IPKKND? I was really busy when it was on air, so much so that I didn't even get the time to watch my own show.
Are you watching it now to get an insight?
I am taking this show as I would have done with any show or had it been named anything else. Just because the names of the show are same, doesn't mean the show is similar.
Are you aware that the fans of season one want the name of this show to be changed? Yes I got a lot of tweets, and I also replied to the respected fans saying that it's not in my hand. In fact these are beyond an actor's purview. I am supposed to do my work.
Is the name of the show posing a challenge for you?
The show was already a challenge since my image is of Kalyug's Lord Krishna €" as my character was in Chhoti Bahu. In this show, I am Kalyug's Raavan. I play a male chauvinist who does not respect women and believes that a woman is incomplete without a man. Now, with the name, it has become a bigger challenge.
I believe its destiny. When we started shooting in April, we didn't know that this would be a sequel. Still, we were using the shooting studio of IPKKND. Now, I am being compared to Barun and my chemistry with Shrenu is being compared to Barun and Sanaya Irani.
Now the show is on my shoulders, as I am both the bad guy and the good guy. But I am much happier with the negative role as I have done a positive for four years.
Do you think it would have been easier for you if the show was called something else?
It would have been the same. I would have put in as much hard work as I am putting now. Showko kya naam mila hai usse mujhe koi fark nahi padta. What works for a show is the concept, script, chemistry. With the show's name being IPKKND, fans of the show are comparing me with Barun. I am sure Barun won't mind as wouldn't I. I am also getting a lot of messages from my fans. Some people are happy and some are not. I cannot make the whole world happy. I understand the emotions of the fans. When Chhoti Bahu was taken off air during its peak, my fans also felt the same. That is why its sequel was made.
I think people will watch my show if my work is good. Even if the name is different and people don't like my work, they won't see it.
Is this show an adaptation of the original or is it a sequel?
IPKKND is the concept. We are not comparing it with season 1, which was a cult show. Shlok and Aastha have a different identity. The name of the show is just a situation for the two protagonists. Somewhere in the show they would keep wondering Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?
What do you think of sequels, considering that the sequel of Chhoti Bahu did not do that well?
I don't think it didn't do well. Though it had the same cast as Part 1, it did not do as well compared to Part 1. But in IPKKND €" Ek Baar Phir, the cast and the plot are completely different, so I don't know what the fate of this would be. I am happy to be a part of both the sequels (Chhoti Bahu and IPKKND).
Does the reaction of the fans of the original season irk you?
If I would have been a die hard fan of a show, I would have thought that kuch na hone se behtar hai ki kuch to hai. At least IPKKND wapas aya to hai. Chal kar dekhte hain ki yeh naya banda kya karta hai. And then if I don't like the show, I won't watch it.
I understand that people get attached to a show. Since I have done a sequel, I know how it is. If Chhoti Bahu's sequel had come with any other cast, my fans would have had the same reaction. The fans are right in their way.
The promo of the show hasn't been well received...
The promo has got 88,000 views on YouTube as of yet, of which it has got 2,000 dislikes and 192 likes. This is I think a first for Indian television. I have never seen a promo creating history in itself.
Does all the negativity regarding the show get to you sometime?
Mujhe bahut pyaar mil chukka hai, so I am now comfortable with nafrat also. Ismein ek alag mazza hai.
What would you say to Barun if you meet him now?
I have met Barun once during the beginning of his career as we were doing shows for the same production house. I think if we both meet now, we would just laugh. I came to know that he is also born a day ahead of me, so we have a lot of coincidences.
Do you think the leads of a daily show are left with no personal life?
No I don't think so. I am working like crazy in this industry since six years. Still I am getting time to be with family and friends. Whenever I get time I go to Lonavala or Mahabaleswar. I haven't missed out on anything.
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