'Bringing myself into TV was my best decision' - Raqesh Vashisth

Raqesh Vashisth has experimented with his characters that came along his way. He portrayed the antagonist Neel in Saath Phere, became a responsible guardian with super power in Seven and was associated with various other shows and films that made him one of the heartthrobs of the television industry.

Presently we see Raqesh as Aditya in Star Plus and DJ'S Creative Unit's new show, Maryada - Lekin Kab Tak?, wherein he portrays a complete lover boy and a charmer that all girls would wish to have.

Raqesh talks exclusively with Tellybuzz about his journey where he has seen a lot of ups and downs and also about his new show.

Your journey started with movies and now you are in television; how has the experience been?
The journey has been superb and I am enjoying the whole process where I am having the time of my life. I have heard people sharing about their bitter experiences in the industry to reach the level they have achieved, but as far as I am concerned I have not experienced such really bad times. God has been kind to me in that regard because I have always got only positive vibes from people around me.

When your movies met with continuous failures did you ever feel that acting was not your cup of tea?
I came into this industry by default because I never thought that I would become an actor one day. As I come from an Army background, dad had other plans for me. But my life took me into a direction which I never even imagined. Even Grasim Mr India happened unintentionally when my friends applied it for me and once you are in the glamour industry, there is no looking back. In this industry you are paid well, at the same time there is also fame. After Tum Bin I had a contract with T Series and that's how I ended up doing films at a stretch and unfortunately it did not work out. I learned that acting is something that has to be inborn and you cannot learn it in a day and I have learnt it with the course of time.

Saat Phere turned out to be a comeback of yours as an actor, how has it changed you as an actor and a celebrity?
I never thought that I would enter the television industry because after I had continuous flops I took a break from it and was with my family in Pune. I had no idea what to do in my life because whatever I tried did not work out as expected. I had decided that whatever I choose to do further should be after intense grilling of mind and should be chosen correctly, and that was when Saat Phere came to me. Daily soap was something I never tried and I knew that being in a daily soap, I could reach a bigger space and realized it is package that reaches and enters the house close to people. Also the production house was excellent and so I thought 'why not give it a shot'. I feel that it is the best decision that I have taken till now.

You have got a chance to work in various roles in television, so do you feel that you are more popular here and you belong here?
As an actor I believe that you need to try out and bring out different things. When you are in this industry it is like the 'Lala Land' where you have to make people believe what you are doing. I really feel that I do belong here and on the sets I get a warm feeling. The unit is very good and the vibe that you receive is really positive which is what you need.

Did you ever face a very bad critic who made you doubt in your acting skills?
Frankly speaking, I am my best critic because you get to learn from your own mistakes. But in television everything is so fast where there is not much time to analyze your performance. But whenever I get a chance, I do analyze my performance and if I feel that I must put in more effort henceforth, I would do that. But when I am judged, I am open to it and I am very straightforward in that regard.

What made you decide to do Maryada?
This is a role that I have never tried and the most challenging one, because I am not at all Aditya in real life who talks and charms people. So getting yourself into that mood and character was a little tough.

This is the first time you are working with Star Plus and a reputed production house like DJ'S Creative Unit, how is the experience till date?
If you are with the team Star Plus, the show is already branded and right now I have heard somebody tagging me as the 'blue eyed boy' of Star Plus and I am really pleased to get such a tag and I am recognized in the channel. I had got a previous offer to do Gulaal along with this. Since I had already worked with Sphere Origins in Saath Phere I wanted to do a show with DJ's Creative unit. They are very passionate about making their shows and really get involved in the script. 

Maryada has a topic that has been talked and ripped off a lot of times in television, what new does this show have to offer?
Basically, Aditya is just an eye candy to the show who the women always dream to have and a person who is very difficult to find in a normal world. He is very straight forward and jolly guy and he is there to give a light flavor to the show.

Maryada talks about the lives of four women and the tribulations they face in society. How do you see the position of women in society today?
I do believe in equality and I really do believe that they are strong and competitive. But at the same time, you cannot go against the law of nature. It is a natural fact that men are born with fire and the women are born to face the fire. When two people get together there will be some tiff but it is the nature's law that women take the first step.

Maryada is slotted to be a bold show. How will you describe this? Is it bold in terms of content?
It is bold in terms of the content and will be dealing with topics which are in closet. But later on they are portrayed out loud in the show.

Have you come across a lady who suffers the grief that Priya does in the show?
Not exactly, but I always used to go to an organization where they take care of women who have undergone situations like how Priya had. There are people who have undergone molestation, domestic violence and are deprived and I do interact with them. I try my best to help them and the trust financially.

How would you differentiate your role in Sony's Seven to Aditya here?
In Seven, I was the guardian of the team and my actions were restricted wherein I cannot be flamboyant and the boy next door because I have certain duties to be undertaken. But in Maryada I am out and out a lover boy and a complete charmer.  In Seven, the character is very introvert and enjoys the solitude which is similar to my character.

Maryada is a multi-cast project. Were you not apprehensive in losing your way out here?
Not at all. When any show is concerned there will be hero and a heroine for sure and the story will revolve around them along with the stories that are related to it. Even though the story is about the four women and their hardships, it will be shown keeping the boy and the girl in the centre of the plot.

How is the experience working with Ridhi Dogra?
We are great buddies off-screen and since we both share the same zodiac, Virgo, we get along really very well. There are various similarities in our likes and dislikes.

The ratings of the show have not been that great to begin with. Did you people expect this? What are you doing creatively to better it?
When we started off with the show we had decided that we are not fighting for the TRPs and the channel has also supported us regarding this. The screenplay is really good and it is serious concept with a masala in it.

The time slot of the show is 11:30 pm which is a bit too late for the viewers, aren't you apprehensive about the viewership?
We purposely decided a time slot of that because as I said earlier, we are not fighting for the TRPs here and we are not targeting an audience that are used to the primetime 'saas bahu' shows. We are looking for audience who are interested in such shows where the concept is serious and contemporary.

Out of the characters you have portrayed which was the one that was or is similar to you?
None, because I never gave it so much of a thought as I never thought acting would ever happen to me. I am less experienced and when I came to this industry I did not even know the basics of acting. But now I am smart enough to know what people want.

Ads, albums, films and television shows; which do you enjoy doing more?
Everything, because I am passionate of whatever I do and I am completely dedicated to that.  I believe in enjoying whatever I do and put in the best to that.

Any dream role that you have in mind?
I think Aditya is my dream role.

Where do you see yourself five years down the line?
I would like to see myself in Paris or L A amidst art and painting and also a Producer or a Director because I cannot be an actor lifelong.

Reporter and Author: Saranya Valsarajan