I don't want to be a contestant on Roadies any more : Vishal Karwal

Smart and suave Vishal Karwal entered the world of television with the MTV cult show Roadies. Since then the journey for this dimpled actor has been quite a successful one. Vishal – who was earlier seen in Bhagyavidhata and Pratha – will now charm the gopis with his acting and looks as he is essaying the role of Lord Krishna in Imagine’s Dwarkadheesh. In an interview with TellyChakkar, Vishal talks about his new show and his transition from reality shows to daily soaps. How did this offer come to you? When I was acting in Pratha on Colors, I was informed that Sagar Pictures is coming up with a show on Lord Krishna. I went to their office for auditions and later got selected for the show. There have already been so many shows on Lord Krishna’s life. Why did you opt for another one? The shows that people have already seen always focused on Krishna’s birth, his love life, his mischievous nature, his fight with the demons, among others. But there is a lot more about Lord Krishna that needs to be told. Viewers can expect a lot many things in our new show. I just hope that all of it works. Are you ready for the comparison with Nitesh Bhardwaj, since he has played a very famous Lord Krishna character? Comparisons are bound to happen. But I know on working positively I will definitely achieve my goal. From Roadies, to SplitsVilla, and now a mythological show like Dwarkadheesh. How are you finding the change? My journey in the industry so far has been great. I came down to Mumbai for three months to participate in SplitsVilla and I won it. Then things followed and I have enjoyed everything that I’ve done on small screen, be it reality shows like Roadies or SplitsVilla or daily soaps like Bhagyavidhata and Pratha. Roadies and SplitsVilla are shows where people are seen using abusive language. But portraying Lord Krishna would be different. Is it part of an image change? I have never abused anyone when I was in Roadies and SplitsVilla. People who have seen me in reality shows have good things to say about me. I keep telling participants in shows like Roadies or SplitsVilla to maintain dignity as you are representing your family. Do you know that Shree Krishna also has dimples like you? (Laughs) I don’t know about it. But it’s just that my mom has dimples and I have inherited them. What was your parent’s reaction when they heard you were playing Lord Krishna’s role? What was the reaction of your friends in the TV industry? My father has always been a guiding force, be it my studies or professional life. He never understood the concept of SplitsVilla and Roadies. I remember his first reaction after watching Roadies was “kya hai ye… munde aur kudiyaan bike par ghumte rehte hain”. And when he saw SplitsVilla he asked me why I keep doing these kind shows. But this time he was very happy when I informed him I am doing this show with Sagar Pictures. And my friends from the industry have seen the promos and have given a good response. Do you have any friends in the industry? I have a very different take on this subject and I don’t want to comment. But I have friends from my school days and I make it point to catch up with them during social functions. Have you played any mythological character before? No not exactly. But I have done many roles like Shiva, Krishna during a tradition called “Jhakiyaan” in Holi. If given a chance will you ever do a show like Roadies again? There is an age for everything and right now I just want to work hard and move ahead. Though I have immense respect for that show but I don’t want to be a contestant on Roadies any more. Chandragupta Maurya is a hit show on Imagine. Don’t you think it will affect the viewership of Dwarkadheesh? On the contrary, I believe since Chandragupta Maurya is such a hit on our channel we will get the same audience for our show as well. Furthermore, the timing slot is also different and it will certainly boost our TRP. Lord Krishna is synonymous to romance. Are you equally romantic and currently seeing someone? (Laughs)…Right now I am single. We have also heard that you have signed two films? Yes, I have signed two Punjabi films. I always wanted to do something in Punjabi as I hail from Jalandhar, Punjab. I have seen all the recent Punjabi films after Manmohanji started making them. When Ravindra Ravi approached me with the role I grabbed the opportunity as he is a well known name in Punjabi films. This will be my first Punjabi film and I have also signed two more films with the same production house. One of the films is called Appa Phir Milenge which will release in August and Gracy Singh will play the lead. Why did you quit Pratha? The show was taking a leap and I was not ready to play a 40-45 year old father at such an early age of my career. The same thing happened with Bhagyavidhata. So I decided to quit both the shows. Any other offer you had before choosing Dwarkadheesh? I was offered Comedy Circus and Bigg Boss but I chose to take up Dwarkadheesh.