“Even Karan told me that his fans will soon love me as Asad.” – RaQuesh Vashisth.
Even as he promises that he will do his best and live up to the expectations of everyone around to maintain the popularity of Asad in Qubool Hai, the good looking actor RaQuesh Vashisth comes across as a honest person who wishes good for all!
The news of RaQuesh Vashisth replacing the popular actor Karan Singh Grover in Zee TV’s Qubool Hai drew quite a frenzy. The sudden development took everyone by shock and more so for the fans who admire Karan Singh Grover.
Talking to us, the soft spoken actor RaQuesh Vashisth clears the air about how the show came to him and how his dear friend Karan helped him take the decision.
How did Qubool Hai happen to you?
Honestly, I was not looking for any work at all. In fact after Nach Baliye, I wanted to take a break and go on a longish vacation with my wife Riddhi (Ridhi Dogra Vashisth). However, it seems that God doesn’t want me to stay idle for long and I am not complaining about it too! I have never ever planned anything. I totally believe in going according to what the Universe conspires for me and that is exactly how I felt when this offer fell in my lap.
I got a call from producer Gul Khan and me and Gul wanted to work with each other since long. I was doing Maryaada Lekin Kab Tak? when she wanted me to be a part of one of her other shows which I could not do at that time. Talks were on but nothing materialized. And then suddenly everything fell in place this time round with Qubool Hai and finally we got an opportunity to work together.
So what was your reaction when you first heard the news and that you will be replacing the main lead of such a popular show?
When I first heard of the offer I was not too happy since it was an on-going show and I was replacing somebody which I never wanted to do. Even Riddhi didn’t want me to do the show. It takes a lot of effort from the actor’s side to make the character popular. As an actor and professional I would have to do that too but then there were many around me who convinced me.
Karan Singh Grover who played Asad so far has said that he too called you to convince.
Yes, Karan Singh Grover did call me to tell me that he cannot continue with the show any more. He also thought that since I fit the bill I should do it. Karan is a friend and I could not say no to him. Along with him the channel too convinced me and after a lot of thinking I agreed to it. I finally thought that a role is a role and an actor is an actor who has to sometimes take such decisions so I left everything to God and said that I can’t deny destiny. The time is correct and when I have the good wishes of so many people I felt I was doing the right thing.
How are you preparing for the role and the character?
First, I have to understand where Asad in Qubool Hai comes from… he is from a huge family and his background, personal history, family history is something I have to have a knowledge of. I had seen the initial episodes of Qubool Hai but I had not followed it completely. Even now I don’t get any time to watch it since I am not at home most of the times and busy with Nach Baliye. The creative team is guiding me as to how and what Asad is all about. I will start shooting from next week and I have many people supporting me which is a big relief. I am an actor who just follows the directions. One thing good about me is that I absorb really fast. I love challenges and I hope this one doesn’t fall heavy on me. The show is successful and to fit into the character already played by someone else is a huge challenge.
Do you relate to Asad’s character? Any similarities?
No, I am totally opposite to Asad. And as an actor whenever I have portrayed a character who is opposite of how I am it has worked. In real life I’m not that way so you will get to see a different side of my personality which is a lovely challenge. It actually feels good to play a personality other than your own on screen. I quite enjoy that as an actor.
How will you manage Nach Baliye season 6 and Qubool Hai both?
We have been consistent in our performances and getting good scores and me and Ridhi hope to maintain that. It is just couple of more weeks and I think we will be able to pull it off by giving our best. As I said I have still not started shooting for Qubool Hai but once I start even then I will concentrate on Nach.
What do you think of the way Karan’s ouster happened?
As I said earlier Karan is my friend. Even though me and Karan have never interacted on a professional level but we have always been friends. I don’t know what exactly happened in this particular case but as a co-actor I will support him since as actors we belong to the same community and also because I don’t want to see the other side of Karan’s personality since I have seen his good side.
Karan has a huge fan following as Asad. Are you getting any reactions? Will the fans be able to digest the fact that he has been replaced?
Karan’s fans have taken his exit very badly. I know that since I am getting hate mails from Karan’s fans and I think it is fair for people to go overboard with their love for him since he has been so popular and made the character and the show a hit.
Any message for Karan’s fans?
I would like to tell them that it’s not that I came into the picture on my own and if not me it would have been someone else who would have come in as Asad. It was entirely the channel’s decision. Please don’t hate me as I am here just as an actor to play a part and now that I am in the show I want it to do well since if the show ends it will affect the lives of many people who are dependent on it for a living.
I hope to live up to Asad and take the show to a different level which is impossible but I believe that nothing is impossible. Even Karan has told me that his fans will soon like and love me in the character. All I can say is that I will give my best to live up to their expectations.
42 Comments
asya4ever
December 31, 00:19all the best
Asya fan 1
December 31, 00:15I love Karan Singh Grover and i heard he will come back from a persons comment but am not sure if its true that he will come back in 3-4 months but i don’t want to have hopes that he’ll come back so yeah 🙂 but welcome Raquesh don’t worry we aren’t going to ponder on u for replacing Karan 🙂 ur doing what u have been told to do and if karan says that u will be great and we will accept u sooner or later then thats great i accept u:) but Karan u started the character Asad and u will have to understand that seeing him with Zoya will be hard but we will manage to like him just for u i am happy its not Barun cuz he doesn’t suit Asad in no angle but Raquesh does in a lot of places so i’m cool with it and Karan whatever it is i don’t care i love u and i’m a huge fan of urs and i adore u so i will not even listen to what Telly Buzz or any media cuz i know what they want us to think and that is hate u but don’t worry I won’t believe them and frankly speaking whatever the reason is Karan i support u and don’t care what the others say i truly don’t care about the reason u left if u have to then i’ll take it as something important like ur health or work or film idc cuz u will still be with us through the interviews with jenny <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3 but one thing for sure i WON'T do is quit watching this show cuz i know u don't want that and u do want this show's rating to be up and so we will make that wish come true u don't worry love i'm not going to watch QH by force but will watch it cuz of Surbhi and the other cast i don't want them to feel left out so love them and love the whole Qubool Hai team and wish them best of luck without Karan (saying nicely not in an attitude way 🙂 ) so I am excited on seeing his entry but sad also cuz ur leaving karan try to be on the interviews w jenny on her show that'll be great we won't even be mad at why is he back or if he can come here then why did he quit qh dont' worry we won't be mad esp me i won't be don't worry just don't say no to interviews pleaseeeeeee love u karan and wish u all the best for ur future <3
Sivsu
December 30, 20:15Welcome Raquesh ( our new Asad ). All the best. We will support you so please don’t let us down.
Asiya
December 30, 16:42Please keep on Karan
hina
December 30, 15:19he was wrong? what do u mean?
KSG!!
December 30, 15:16Well KSG was wrong!! LOOLL! But welcome!:)
hina
December 30, 15:09right
ayra
December 30, 15:07The show must go on…. welcom raquesh 🙂
SYS
December 30, 14:49All the best Raquesh .
Asma
December 30, 13:33We will see how he acts as asad then we can judge! He is good looking too.
AsYa
December 30, 12:02Raquesh is a great actor… I admit that, but I still don’t believe that anyone can be as good as Asad than KSG was… It won’t look right… But time will tell, I think we should give him a chance.
Aisha
December 30, 11:59No
No one can replace asad
Karan is the best
smahafatima
December 30, 07:32i think raquesh will do justice to the role and the show.. i know that nobody can take KSG’s place but he may add new flavour to asad’s character… i hope he will not disappoint us.. lets see what QH will bring us now as the show is going gud other thn sameera plot..
fizzy
December 30, 05:10KSG is the best and no one can take his place or can do better act of asad.ahhhhhhhhh he actually deserves to act in films.Miss u aloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot ksg 🙁
abcd
December 30, 06:08not at all…
surbhi is too good… so anyone as asad will do
Aisha
December 30, 12:00I agree
m
December 30, 03:22gmgjpam
m
December 30, 03:21wpmgj
m
December 30, 03:21wmgtg
m
December 30, 03:20mgjgapwp
m
December 30, 03:20.mgdgw
sash
December 30, 03:05Will miss ksg, he will leave a void that has to be filled especially in the chemistry between zoya and asad
LALO
December 30, 01:09no i love ksg plz dont leve the show plz gull khan ksg ko mana laye jis din new asad aye ham show dhakna chor dangy plz
masuku
December 29, 23:26tired of this guy ksg’s story
hina
December 29, 21:13ur right sanvi but the thruth is also that that we will like the first asad more than the second one
nayantara
December 29, 23:13true hina hence we won’t have no other option we hav give 1 chance
sanvi
December 29, 21:08All the best bcoz u were looking good n bit hot in hinge juda na him so we r much enthusiastic to see in asad s role
Kiran
December 29, 20:13Fact is if KSG was loyal to the show he would have renewed contract but he’s moved on. Even if he had health issues these can be written into a story but not a lack of interest…..he wants to move on and fans should accept.
But carry on watching Qubool Hai if you are fans of the show. Otherwise you are doing injustice to Surbhi and other co-actors who are caught up through no fault of their own and been let down by KSG!!
sanvi
December 29, 21:06If u ksg fanatics please don’t compare between ksg n raquesh. .obviously 1 fine day u l all like him as asad n may accept him in his as asad..
So please don’t criticize him inhis 1st attempt
asya4ever
December 29, 19:37it’s so sad that karan is leaving the show ….. but the show must go on …… good luck
Nadee
December 29, 16:05………………..,seriously :/
Ravneet
December 29, 13:31Best of luck and do well
I will miss ksg but looking forward to see your work
sia
December 29, 13:12best of luck
Kiran
December 29, 10:35I hope people give you a chance……hope you give us your take on Asad. Good luck!!!
You are not KSG, he was amazing as Asad. In fact I preferred him as Asad than as Dr Armaan where I found him to be an immature fool in love.
ASYA – KaBhi were the best, a one in a million couples that share an unusual chemistry…..your chemistry with Subhi may not be on par with this but I hope it’s nice to watch.
shona91
December 29, 13:04so true
Eeman 1D
December 29, 13:07Agree
sia
December 29, 13:12vry true
asya4ever
December 29, 19:35agree
asya4ever
December 31, 20:33u r right