Popular actor Arjun Bijlani, who just entered Balaji Telefilms’ popular show Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hin on Colors, is loved by the masses for his Casanova image of Shikher on the show. Arjun was busy shooting for his movie Direct Ishq post his show Jo Biwi Se Kare Pyaar went off-air. Now, he is winning audience’ heart again on television with Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hin.
We quizzed Arjun about his new show and much more…
What made you opt for the show?
Ekta Kapoor, has been the first reason because I have seen Ekta Kapoor’s shows. Her characters have always been larger than life and very well written. The other reason for me to opt for this role was that I thought that it would be a challenge for me as this is something which I haven’t done before. These have been the reasons why I opted for this character. I am getting a good response and I am happy.
In any ways do you can relate yourself to Shikhar?
In real life, I also keep doing a lot of masti and play pranks so, in this way I can relate myself to the character. I don’t know if I am a Casanova but I believe in healthy flirting and I like to make women feel good about them (chuckles).
After a long time you have made a comeback to television with a daily fiction show…
I don’t understand why every time I come on television, is called as a comeback. I think that television is a medium where people are watching you every day through daily soaps. A character sees variations and grows in daily soaps. It’s a journey of a character and once the journey comes to an end, the show comes to an end. I feel that a small gap is very important. I don’t think that it would be a good idea to keep doing shows one after the other. So, I feel that small gaps are necessary for the newer characters to be accepted.
Are you enjoying playing your character?
Yes, totally! I listen to good music once I reach on the set then I start reading my scenes. I listen to the music according to the scenes I am supposed to do. This keeps me going. Music plays an important role in my life.
How is your co-ordination with everyone on the sets?
Everyone out here is fabulous. I share a good equation with everyone here on the sets. I treat everyone well and everybody treats me well here. I rehearse my scenes with them and its fun. I have most of my scenes with Radhika (Radhika Madan) and she is young and has a bundle of energy. She reminds me of my college days (chuckles). So, it’s fun to work with her. We do a lot of masti on sets.
Shikhar is being known for his one-liners and funny names he gives to Ishani. How is Arjun with this? Do you add your own one-liners and funny names in the script?
Yes, a lot of things that Shikhar does have been added by me. For example, the selfie scene was added by me. I thought that Shikhar would be a guy who loves to clicking selfie. I think that addition was interesting and keep discussing things with the creative and the director. It depends upon scenes to scenes.
Now, you have so many responsibilities on you; as an actor, as a husband and as a father. So, what gives you a boost to mange everything so well?
Life is all about balancing things. Everyone has their own set of problems. You need to keep working on your problems and try to solve them when it’s required. I don’t take too much stress. A few years back, I was nobody so, I have really worked hard and reached whatever I am today. Whatever little I have achieved, I have achieved everything with a lot of hard work. I am a true believer of God. I believe that if God has given me something then he makes way for things to get managed for me also. I just go with the flow of things happening to me.
I just concentrate on my work and everything just falls in place. I am a family man now so I do spend some time with my family after my work. I keep watching my family and my son’s every little thing for half n hour after I reach home from my work. Then, I remove my make-up and I am off to sleep. The next day I wake up and I am in a rush for my shoot. I spend some time with my son Ayaan and then I am off to work. When I see him and I go for my work, my day goes really good. Neha keeps sending me his pictures throughout the day so I keep seeing his pictures.
How has been the response from everyone so far?
I am happy to get good and positive comments from my fans. I am playing the character and I am doing my job. That’s what I concentrate on! A lot of people become too personal sometimes with their comments. I don’t bother about such comments. I am not Shikhar, I am Arjun who is playing the character. I am not the writer of the show. I am being given scripts and I have to do my job accordingly. I can’t fight with the creative or the directors for making changes in the script. People should realize this and they should watch the show as a mature audience.
What are the updates about the release of your movie?
I have completed my film and the post production is going on. I am unaware about the release of the movie. I am waiting for them to start with the promotions. Till then it’s Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi!