I always follow my heart: Shaheer Sheikh

Once in a melting dream comes along the perfect boy whose endearing smile, chiselled body, unforgettable eyes and charming smile, have you floored. That is Shaheer Sheikh- the eternal poster boy of small screen.

From his chocolate boy image in Kya Mast Hai Life, to the ‘first love’ romance in Navya or the fiery warrior Prince Arjun in Mahabharat, he has managed to impress us all every time.

And if his work wasn’t enough to keep him in the news, Shaheer’s fluttering relationships managed to feed gossip columns as well.

After his successful stint of more than a year in Indonesia where he managed to see a career high but a major low in a failed relationship, the actor is now back with Sony Entertainment Television’s Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi.

So get your cup of coffee ready as we take you on a whirlwind romance with the man of the hour-Shaheer Sheikh.
 
So Shaheer, welcome back to the grind...how does it feel to be back?

(Laughs out loud) ‘Back to the grind’...I like that! And yes, it feels great to be back with my own people. I feel I am back to the peace and comfort of my home. It surely is an exhilarating feeling.

Were good projects not coming your way or was it a conscious decision to stay away from TV?

To tell you honestly, after Mahabharat,  I did decide that I wouldn’t do any mythological or costume-drama as the bar was set. There were a few parameters that I had set and I wanted to follow them to sign up a show. And when this came my way, I knew this was going to be THE one.

Your show is based on contemporary love stories...what is your take on the same?

I think they are beautiful. I think, as an audience, I would have enjoyed watching two good looking people falling in love and how they embark upon a journey. It is real and a love story that hasn’t been presented before. I should give credit to Beyond Dreams for getting such a great story and also promising to stick to it. There is a lot of layer in not just the characters but also the overall storyline.

Do you believe that families can cause a relationship to break?

I know where you are hinting at (laughs). Well, to tell you honestly, every couple is different and what they and their relationships go through are diverse. So my opinion and suggestions wouldn’t change anything. But yes, our show will define how people set their priorities and that changes equations among relationships.

Shaheer, you recently went through a break up, how did you overcome it in a foreign land?

I think I am looking forward to a great start and hoping to rise like a phoenix so talking about the past seems futile at the moment.

Sure, so take us through your experience in the Indonesian industry...

It was a great experience and I loved it completely. Yes, it was quite challenging since I knew no one but the love that they showered on me was more than enough. I did not even know the language but that never deterred me from doing good work there. Overall, it has been a life-changing time for me there.

You did a couple of Indonesian movies, so what about your Bollywood aspirations?

Trust me, every actor whether they accept or not, dreams of being on the big screen. But I don’t want to jump on it rather want to prove that I am worth it. I will work towards getting the best of the roles only on my capabilities.

All said, why haven’t we ever seen you in a reality show?

I did participate in an Indonesian reality show (winks). Talking about Indian ones, well, I think it just did not work out. I am not really keen on living in a house with strangers but if it has something to do with dance and sports, why not! I am game, bring it on (grins).

Now Shaheer, on a serious note, the industry is a competitive one. Didn’t you fear that missing from TV would cause fatal damage to your career?

Not at all. I think my strength is my fearlessness. Mahabharat was a big decision and everyone warned me of the consequences, but I did it. Because at that moment I felt it was the right thing to do. That’s what my heart told me to do. Similarly, all my decisions have been made because they somewhere seem the best.

What about competition, in the time span a lot many new faces have evolved as new stars?

I have just come back so haven’t really had a chance to check that (smirks). But I think competition is always good… the healthy ones, at least.

What, according to you, makes you still a favourite among fans?

I think the audience is very intelligent to understand how genuine a person is. I share a great relationship with my viewers and they too share the same connect. Whatever I do and I say is honest and earnest.. As they say, an actor can never hide his expressions…I am an open book too.

You are said to be a ladies’ man, what is your take on the same?

(Laughs out loud) Really? I think all I can say is that I am lucky to have received so much love from all the wonderful women all around the world.

And finally, Shaheer, has the heartbreak made you cynical about love?

I don’t think so. Past is gone and all I know is that I am really not drawn to think about it. Let’s see what life has stored in for me.

Wish you great luck, young man.