Rahul Sharma “I Haven’t Set Any Limit For Myself”

He has been working continuously as a lead in Television since 2012. He had a recurring role in Teri Meri Love Stories, played Aakash Garg in Star Plus TV series, Ek Ghar Banaunga and Raghav Roy in Sony Pal’s Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi. But it was Kaal Bhairav Rahasya, an unconventional show that gave him the most desired recognition as an actor. Rahul Sharma, currently working as a lead in Mitegi Laxman Rekha on &TV had a candid conversation at the set with Devyani Purkayastha about his life, love and career aspirations.

How did your journey to Showbiz started?
It started from 2008. I hail from Dausa, Rajasthan. I came to Jaipur for MBA classes. I went to Jaipur for MBA classes. My brother asked me to go for a fashion show there. I joined there casually where I was told to act on a given situation in the performance round. I was applauded for that and since moment I decided to try my luck in acting. None from my family has anything to do with acting, we are into oil and land business. As my MBA classes were supposed to start after two months, I thought joining did a theatre workshop conducted by National School of Drama. workshop – Daulat Vaidya, Sabir Khan. In 20 days after joining the workshop, I decided to go for acting. I worked very hard, I focussed on it as I was very passionate. I was not nervous but happy and excited acting on stage, I did theatre for one and a half years. I went to English-speaking class as I studied in Hindi medium school but I am not ashamed of it. But learning English was required. I shifted to Mumbai. My mother trusted and supported me, though my father with a very heavy bid adieu. One of my friend from my theatre group Sankalp Sharma accompanied me to Mumbai.

What happened next?
We were lucky to get an accommodation in Powai for three months. Then we shifted to Lokhandwala. In 2010, I went to Ekta Kapoor’s office to submit my portfolio. I couldn’t even turn my back, the watchman tore that into pieces. I came with Rs. 25000, nothing worked out even after doing almost 200 auditions. I started earning through photo shoots to run my house. It went on for more than a year. Then I went back home for my sister’s wedding in 2011. By that time, my father lost all hope regarding my acting career, which made me upset. I returned back to Mumbai and started going for auditions. I bagged five ads (McDonald, Tata Docomo, Sony Pix etc) and role in a show – Kahani Chandrakanta Ki. on Sahara One. After the promo shoot, I was ousted from the show. I was disheartened but decided not to give up. After a month or so, I got a call from the producer Dev Agnihotri again. So, they got me back to play the role of Indrajit Singh, son of Chandrakanta…. After a number of mock shoots, for which I wasn’t paid for and numerous look tests, I bagged Teri Meri Love Story – on Star Plus. I got an overwhelming response. Life took a turn from there. The show went on for one-and-a half year. Then got a call from Shashi Sumit Productions, for whom I am working now. It was a show for Sony Pal names ‘Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi’. But the channel went off air. I still get fan mails for that show. It was later released in Pakistan, which became very popular there. But I was out of work again, had a bad patch for two more years. No show was working for me. The unpredictability of the industry, struggle became intense. I also had a break up. But I am strong believer in God, so kept faith in Him. Suddenly, I was called for Vighnaharta Ganesh on Sony, where I played Lord Vishnu. I started looking for roles in films along with that serial. Then happened KAAL BHAIRAV RAHASYA (KBH). It was a challenging role where you are challenging existence of God.

You played an atheist in that serial! Do you believe in God in real life?
Yes, in KBH, I played an agnostic, but in real life, I am a strong believer. You won’t believe I worshipped Kaal Bhairav for 5 long years, and this role came as a blessing from him. I believe in that Universal Energy. I do Puja and chant Hanuman Chalisa every day.

Did the struggle period help you to rise?
Oh yes! It was my mother’s teaching to keep my feet always grounded. I did my struggle on my own in this city and learnt that none is yours, there is no substitute of hard work. I need to keep your fight on and believe yourself.

How did Mitegi Lakshman Rekha happen?
Everything happened smoothly as Shashi-Sumeet had worked with me earlier. They found no other actor to suit and play the role of Vishesh. I can also relate to this character which is very honest.Every costar of mine is helpful and understanding. I share a wonderful camaraderie with them.

Have you done any web series?
I did a series called Tanhaiya with Barun Sobti in lead! But I was promised a different role, but I played something different.

What kind of girl you are looking for yourself?
For last two years I have taken a break after the break up. The break up taught me lot. Whatever happens, happens for very good. I completely changed my personality, I went through a physical transformation, concentrated on myself, focussed on my energies. Still miles to go, I haven’t set any limit for myself.

What do you have to talk about shows on digital platform? Do you think it is posing threat to television?
I don’t think television’s existence is threatened. It has started getting challenges from digital competitors for sure. And when you get challenge, you tend to change yourself. You can witness that trends of mini-shows have started again which lasts for three to six months.

What kind of ideal life partner are you looking for?
I want the girl who can handle me and who can love my family. I should be the man of her life. It’s good if she is working. I don’t want any girl from Rajasthan who stays at home as she won’t be able to understand what I am doing 14-15 hours at work. I am making cosy scenes with my female co-star, I am eating, making funs with them the whole day along with shooting. Any normal girl will become insecure. So, I want someone who can understand me, my work and blindly trust me completely. And I am not going to break her trust.