Drashti is pretty, intelligent and an energetic performer: Gunjan Utreja

Popular TV host Gunjan Utreja (Aamna Saamna) is suddenly hogging all the limelight with journos from all across the country vying for his time and attention. They all want to talk to him, learn about him, and let the world know about Gunjan, the person and actor. And he deserves all the attention and flashlights for after a lot of hard work and perseverance, the man got roped in to play the new male lead in Colors one of the most popular ongoing shows, Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon (Nautanki Telefilms).

For many, his casting came as an unusual shock, for he is someone who stayed far far away from the world of daily soaps. His giving a professional nod to Madhubala, stepping into the shoes of popular Vivian Dsena and shouldering the responsibility of taking the legacy forward, was appreciated by many while others looked upon with doubt and hesitation. But as they, fortune favours the brave and Gunjan, with his skills and patience, will conquer the greatest of heights, is what we believe.

In a freewheeling conversation with us, Gunjan talks about his journey as AK (his character name) so far, his rapport with beautiful co-star Drashti Dhami and much more. Excerpts.

How has the response been so far?

Well, let me be honest with you. I have hit a hectic schedule ever since I’ve was confirmed to play Abhay Kapoor. I was in Delhi when they finalized me to play this role and had to rush in to commence shooting for Madhubala. Since then, my schedule sounds something like this… I go to the gym at 5 am, then I go for the shoot and then get back home and rest. The feeling of such a big turnaround in my life is yet to sink in. But I must admit that I am genuinely honoured to be a part of such a successful show as its lead. People have been comparing me with Vivian (Dsena) and comparisons were bound to happen. But one must bear in mind that the most beautiful flowers come with thorns. But at the same time there are many who have sent me lovely messages and congratulated me for bagging this role.

Vivian’s fans have been bashing you on social networking sites. How do you take it?

Initially, it was more like ‘what did I do?’ (laughs) But then I think it’s a reward of Vivian’s work. The audiences liked him so much that they can also point a knife at someone for him. And I am sure that AK will also have an army of similar fans (winks). I believe that criticisms and compliments always come together. If there are 100 who want to pull you down, there will at least be that one person who’d want to pull you up. I would like to look out for that one person.

In an interview once you had said that you’d never take up a daily soap. Why the switch?

(Pauses) Look, I was a part of Chhajje Chhajje Kaa Pyaar on Sony Entertainment Television which went off-air in three months and from then on the shows that I was being offered were similar. There was nothing new for me to do and that’s when Zindagi Ki Haqeeqat Se Aamna Saamna happened. Since the show was a big platform for me, post that project, I wanted to do something that would involve 100 per cent or more of my effort. And Madhubala is that show. I’ve just completed six episodes and in this period there was a lot of confusion regarding my character. A lot of people felt that I replaced RK which isn’t true. But that’s when comparisons started and I am fine with that as even SRK wasn’t spared when he acted in Devdas and Don. I am too small in front of him.

Don’t all the fan comparisons mean that they are missing Vivian as RK?

He worked on the show for one and a half years to get the three lakh fan following on Facebook. However, a lot of people like the writers, director and the creatives were involved in making that role this important. But he opted out to explore better avenues and I pray that he succeeds in life.

Do you believe in the saying that the writer is always the real hero?

(Smiles) This is how I look at it. Even if the content is good, a bad actor can spoil it. But even if it’s an average content, a powerful actor can make it look spectacular. I am not justifying who is big. It’s just that what exactly makes a dialogue like ‘Aaj khush toh bahut hui hogi tum’ this popular. For me it’s the entire build-up of the character by the writers as well as Mr. Bachchan’s performance. If an actor takes most of the credit, the criticism also comes to him.

How is your equation with co-star Drashti Dhami?

She has done a lot of work on TV. In fact most of her shows have stayed on TV for at least two years and one can say that she is the queen of TV in terms of acting. She is pretty, intelligent and an energetic performer. I simply look at her as my mentor as she knows everything from lights to camera while on the sets. Luckily people like our pairing. We have been together on-screen in a couple of scenes and the response has been overwhelming so far.

A lot of people believe that Drashti is too snooty. Have you ever observed the same?

As an actor there is this constant pressure to perform with just four to six hours of sleep. So, it’s not that actors are just laughing and doing their job. In such a situation if you keep to yourself, you’re not snooty. As far as I am concerned, Drashti is extraordinarily sweet to me. So the person who thinks of her otherwise has definitely had some kind of a miscommunication.

What do we get to see next of AK?

Let me first say that AK is not married. A lot of people believe that he is married but he is pretty much single. And now that Madhu is his secretary, they will get to see love-love and love-hate relationship evolving between the two.

Where do you see this role taking you?

Well, I’ve been the most searched TV actor in the past few days and people obviously want to know about me. On a serious note I have traveled around the world and have fans that have been associated with me for a long time now. Hence, my association with Madhubala has got a few new audiences and I must say that they love the characters. So, for now I am looking at each and every character being appreciated by the audiences just like Sholay. We even know Mausi. So, it’s just been six episodes; give me 50 more for miracles don’t happen in a day.