Shaheer Sheikh will now be seen in Rajan Shahi’s Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke. The show will mark his return to the fiction genre, something that he self-admittedly prefers to stay away from.
The actor says, ‘People who know me were shocked when I signed the show. I was quite hesitant initially. I have always said that daily soaps are not my thing, as the heroes don’t get much screen space. Neither do they have a story to tell nor do they have a character graph. That’s the reason I had declined a few shows, which went on to become popular. Not that I regret it; I would follow the same path even if I get a chance to rethink my decisions. I would choose a Salim–Anarkali over everything else. I played the iconic character of Salim, a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That’s the kind of show I would want to show my children.’
Shaheer’s new show, produced by A-list producer Rajan Shahi, talks about two ideologies pitted against each other—arranged marriage vs knowing a person before you decide to take the plunge. Shaheer says that his situation in life is similar to his heroine’s, as his parents have been persuading him to settle down.
‘My parents have tried everything. Photos dikhaaye hain bahut baar. I remember this one time when I was out shopping with my sister, and a girl met me at the mall, which was secretly arranged by my mom. My parents, who are currently in Mumbai, have been breathing down my neck for me to settle down. They have vowed that they won’t go back home until I get married. So, I will have to figure a way out.’
So, what is stopping him? Shaheer replies, ‘I can take the plunge only when I feel it from within. I can’t do it just because the family, society, and people around want me to. When you are not sure about a relationship culminating into marriage, you shouldn’t go ahead with it. Or else, you will end up scarring lives, and that’s the worst you can do to each other. Also, I can’t get married to a person without knowing her.’
Spin-off show Yeh Risthey Hai Pyarr Ke will replace Ishqbaaaz. Apart from Shaheer, Rhea Sharma, Pooja Joshi, Lata Sabberwal, Ritwik Arora, Roopal Patel, and Sangeeta Kapure will play vital roles in the show. The family drama will go on air from 18th March.