EXCLUSIVE: Neil Bhatt on Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, working with Ayesha Singh & Aishwarya

Neil Bhatt and Ayesha Singh starrer Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin have been climbing the TRP ladder every single week. The show, also starring Aishwarya Sharma, premiered three months back and today completes 100 episodes. Neil as Virat has managed to strike a chord with the audience. As the show clocks 100 episodes today, we spoke to Neil and asked him if being numero uno on TRP affects him, being confident of the project, playing flawed characters, if there is a change in TV content and more. Over to him:

What made you say yes to playing Virat in Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin?

It is a zone I had never tried before. I have always played a very hot-headed guy who takes a rash decision and for once, I am playing this guy who is very matured and calm-headed. Also, the way the scenes were told and everything, I really liked it and somehow it convinced me and I went ahead.

Were you always confident that the show will be such a huge hit? It was in the top 5 shows of TRP within two weeks, did it come as a surprise?

I was very confident, in fact, I am always very confident about every project I do. I actually took a good break in between because nothing good was coming my way, something which was challenging, that I could say ‘this is good content’. That is why I did not take up anything and everything that came my way and I was pretty confident about this show as well. Being surprised, I was not because I knew this will work, this was a space that the audience really likes. Honestly, the TRP has never mattered to me. I am happy that it is showing in the numbers, but what matters to me more is that people are liking the performance, the role, the characters and relate to it.

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While TRP is a major deciding factor on TV, how do you keep away from that pressure?

I genuinely don’t look at the ratings, having been in the industry for so many years now, I have seen the ups and downs and I cannot base my happiness over one Thursday. I don’t concern myself with the ratings. If it is good, I think it is great but if it doesn’t, I don’t bother as long as I know we are putting up a good show and content. I should be able to have a good night’s sleep after work. That is my sole intention.

How similar is Virat to Neil?

There is a lot of similarities. I have based Virat on Neil. I think for the first time in my career, I have based a character basis on how I react, the behaviour pattern, the reactions, the way he walks or talks, those things are based on me. I am not saying Virat is Neil but the behavioural patterns are like Neil.

Virat is usually a mature, calm person. But is there anything in particular which you find challenging to portray?

I wouldn’t say difficult, but I would say it requires a lot more thought process whenever it comes to dealing with scenes with Sai and Pakhi together in one frame. That is a situation which I have never been in one personally. So it gives a thought to think about it and a lot of times that is a place where I see a difference between how Neil reacts and how Virat’s decision making. We are making a fiction show, I have to justify that and don’t think of it from point of view of Neil, so I don’t get into the moral compasses in the way Virat is reacting.

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Can we say that you are critical of your performance?

I am the biggest critic of my own performance. My mother is one person who gives me feedback. Usually, our parents are appreciative of performances but my mother is very critical. I think the biggest compliment I have received is that I have matured as an actor. She doesn’t usually praise me, so coming from her meant a lot.

Do you see the content on TV changing? For years, it has been the saas-bahu drama that has worked.

I think overall general sense, yes. However, talking about my career alone, I have always tried to be part of projects which are different. For me, it has always been logic over stupid drama. If you look at projects, for me, it will always be about niche drama. Thankfully for me in this show, the niche audience turned out to be the mass audience.

Have people ever advised you not to take a particular project or go for commercial hits?

Never, I have never thought from the point of view of others. Numbers never concerned me. If it works, it works, if it doesn’t, it is not my lookout. When I get cast, people know who I am, and the goodwill If I may say, they know that I will my best.

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Do you go through feedback on social media?

I used to very active on social media but once the show started, obviously I had no time to engage as much as I did. I know the majority of the fans shower us with love. What happens is if I respond to some and not to others, fans do get upset because they love us dearly. The audience is very emotional, so I don’t respond to anyone now. But I always make sure to tell them via interviews that I am reading everything and loving the encouragement.

Fans can sometimes be very emotional about characters… or the way a character reacts onscreen…how do you see that?

I am seeing something that they forget that we are playing characters and for the first time on TV, we are not playing all good-doers, Ram and Sita, who has never done anything wrong. We are playing humans who are flawed. They forget that Virat, Sai, and Pakhi are all flawed and we are trying to show that. We all have greys and similarly, we are trying to show that on TV. We might see the good things but that doesn’t mean they won’t do anything wrong. They will make mistakes. The audience I feel needs to be ready to see this change as well. I would request the audience to look at things with an open eye and everything has a payoff. It is a circle of life. A section of the audience might find it a little difficult to understand but I hope they love it too. For me, all sections of the audience matter.

Lastly, how is it working with a talented bunch like yours?

We are a great bunch of people working together. It is too much fun. It is a pleasure working with such a talented team.

Also Read: Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Mein actors Neil Bhatt and Aishwarya Sharma are rokafied; see pics