“I would love to take up direction later”

Says Rishi Khurana who is seen as Niranjan in Ravi Ojha’s Badalte Rishton Ki Daastan on Zee TV…

Tell us something about yourself?
I hail from Lucknow and basically I am a theatre actor. I have done more than 1500 shows in Prithvi itself and then I started working in TV and films. I did a Hollywood project also. It was a mini series, titled The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb. I also did a film called Sins. After that, I got Choti Bahu for Zee TV and prior to this, I did Mehandi Tere Naam Ki as my debut as an actor. After doing Choti Bahu, I got a call from Optimystix for Saas Bina Sasural. The show ran for around 2 years and I was very happy working with the production house and they were very good to me. They gave me a good portion to act. I also started looking up for films and theatre again after Saas Bina Sasural ended but after that, I got Badalte Rishton Ki Daastan. Now, I have heard that the show is closing down so, I am trying out for new films, theatre or doing a new show on TV. I have also heard about the comeback of Saas Bina Sasural season 2 but we haven’t received any official confirmation yet.

Would you like to be a part of Saas Bina Sasural 2?
Yes, definitely! I would love to be a part of the show. It was a very good project and a very good company to work with. Producers Vipul Shah and Sanjeev Sharma were nice people to work with. They want performance from an actor which is welcome as usually no one works on performances and want the actors to work on their bodies and looks. I want to be in actor’s bracket and not into the celebrities bracket. I don’t like being a celebrity; I like being an actor in any medium whether a TV show, plays or films.

Was acting on your mind since your childhood days?
Not really! I was a very introvert and a shy child. My father was a stage artist so he wanted me to be a stage artist to enhance my personality. I started doing theatre since I was in 4th std. I am one of the luckiest guys whose family asked me whether I would like to go to Mumbai to pursue acting. I agreed and came here at the age of 19 and started acting in plays.

How is it being a part of Badalte Rishton Ki Daastan?
It was a very good experience. My character was supposed to be a positive one which later turns out to be negative. This is what caught my heart and I wanted to do this show as no one offers me negative kind of character, as they think I look sweet. Now, the show is shutting mid way so nothing much could happen with my track.

What are your views about Badalte Rishton Ki Daastan going off air?
I am disheartened because it was a good show but due to lack of publicity, it couldn’t reach to the audiences. The actors were very good and known celebrities. Now, when people have started knowing about the show, the show is ending. I don’t know my next show will be for which channel but I would love to work with Star. Everyone is disheartened by the show… Kiran Karmarkarji, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Additi Gupta all had got very good roles and they all are disheartened on the show going off-air suddenly.

What kind of rapport did you share with the actors on the sets?
I share a very good rapport with everyone on the sets. We haven’t got chance to shoot for a long time with each other but all are good actors and very hard working. When Abhaas Mehta was leaving the show, we became disheartened because he suits the character very well. We all care for each other and are very much like family. My track was still to come in the show.

Are you in touch with any of your co-actors from Saas Bina Sasural?
We shot for 2 years and we all were like a family where we use to share our food, laugh and fight together. I am in touch with some of them. My earlier show Choti Bahu was also like a family to me. I am in touch with all of them. I keep on meeting with Avinash Sachdev and Rubina Dilaik every weekend.

What are your interests other than acting?
Direction! I have helped my friends in their short films with the direction part. I have also been writing and also worked in the production team with my friends. After doing theater for a long time, one gets to know all these skills. I am into acting professionally now. I would love to take up direction later.

What kind of roles are in your wish list?
I would like to play negative roles because you get to do something different with different shades and you get a lot do in a negative character as compared to the positive ones. I would also love to do comedy.

Your prized possession?
My family.

Message for your fans?
Whatever I am, I am because of them so, keep loving me.