Popularly known as Prem from Colors’ hit show ‘Sasural Simar Ka’, Dheeraj Dhoopar is now seen playing the lead on Zee TV’s TRP breaking show Kumkum Bhagya’s spinoff ‘Kundali Bhagya’.

Dheeraj, who has also been a part of shows like ‘Behenein’ and ‘Mrs. Tendulkar’, is very excited for his new project.

In a candid conversation with Tellychakkar.com, he gets up, close and personal about details of the show, his character, and his personal life.

Excerpts:

You were a designing student in your college life so how did you go from designing to acting?

I always wanted to become an actor. I won a small modeling contest at my hometown and as a prize I got to pursue diploma course in fashion designing. When I started, I had no interest in fashion designing, but as I was the only boy in the course I used to get a lot of female attention. Finally, I developed an interest in it, and I’m planning to start my own styling blog. But yes, my first priority is acting.

What made you to sign Kundali Bhagya?

Everything. The first thing is Ekta Kapoor, Zee TV; they’re the best to work with. I’ve always been a big fan of Ekta and when I got this offer, I was very excited about it. But I also got shocked that I got an offer from Ekta.

Now that Kumkum Bhagya is such a big hit, expectations are bound to be kept with its spin off. Does that expectation pressurize you?

When I was narrated the story, I felt it was a parallel universe. Some characters have been taken from Kumkum Bhagya, and some are new. We have our own characters and plot. I don’t think there will be comparison. And Shabbir and Sriti are doing a great job on their show. The only thing is that we have to match up to their popularity. But as such there is no pressure.

Kundali Bhagya seems to be male-oriented. Is that the reason you chose the show?

Well, is it a male oriented show? I never thought of it like that. If it is so, it’s good for me. I signed it because I liked what was narrated to me and I hope people like me in my new character.

What are the pressures and challenges of playing the role?

I always feel that when a character is hit, it has both positive and negative sides to it. I have done Prem for four long years and it was a popular character. Even now when I will play Karan, the audience will connect it to Prem. So for me the biggest challenge is to break the image of Prem from people’s mind and get accepted as Karan. The characteristics of Prem and Karan are poles apart.

Your previous show Sasural Simar Ka has gone overboard with its weird plots. Any comments on that?

See, we started on a good note. It was supposed to be a family oriented show. But you know TV shows are business. For the sake of TRPs, you have to do certain things.

At the end, it is a TRP game, but as an actor how do you satisfy your dream?

If you have seen Sasural Simar Ka, I’ve never done something like that. I always used to say it on the sets too, if an actor has done Sasural, he can do anything. As an actor, it’s your responsibility to imagine the things in the air. Your imagination should be good and you should be able to play anything convincingly.

What preparations have you done to play Karan?

Nothing much. I’ll be myself and I want to play my age and I’m very close to Karan’s character in my real life. But yes, as I’m playing a cricketer, I’ll have to incorporate the posture and everything like that of a cricketer.

Have you played cricket in school?

Yes, I’ve played cricket a lot. In fact, I was the captain of my School team.

As we now know that you’re a student of fashion designing, so how much of your input has gone into the look of Karan?

A lot actually. I sit with the stylists, and even they know that my sense of styling matches to their level. So I always have certain inputs in all my characters. Here my character is very flamboyant, a kind of a rage among girls. He’s like a stylish cricketer who walks on the red carpet like Virat Kohli.

Everyone in the industry knows that Ekta’s working style is very different from others. Were you skeptical or scared to work with her?

No, not at all. I’m very excited to be here in this space. I was very happy; there was no other emotion.

You have tied the knot recently, so how has life changed after marriage?

My wife is my backbone. Whatever I am today, it’s because of her. I take her advice in even the smallest things. I dated her for seven long years before marrying her. So we’re friends first, and then lovers. I am protective but not possessive kind of a husband.

Now a day’s, lots of new faces are joining the industry. Do you have fear of being forgotten one day or fear of missing out?

I think everyone has different experiences and struggles. Definition of struggle is different for everyone. For someone struggle can be getting food and for someone it may mean to get good show. In today’s scenario, getting good project with big brand like Ekta and big channel like Zee isa very big thing. I believe in destiny and kundali.

Web series are quite a rage now a days and a lot of celebs are moving to the digital medium. Will your fans see you doing web series or short films?

I have actually done a short film named ‘Yellow’. I’m doing two more short films and a web series as well. I was about to sign a movie, but before that I got Kundali Bhagya. But yes, I believe the digital medium has become a rage especially amongst youngsters.

Now that you’re married, how comfortable are you doing intimate scenes?

I’m very comfortable. My wife’s also an actor so she knows the profession. We always take each other’s advice on everything. I must say I got a very understanding wife.

All your shows have been webbed around relationships, so what’s your relationship mantra?

I have always believed that compatibility and understanding are the two most important things in a relationship. You have to listen to the other person and then you have to say things. Assuming things is very wrong in a relationship.

Good luck, Dheeraj!