‘TV STARS ARE MERE COMMODITIES’

Nakuul Mehta says an actor isn’t taken seriously until they do a serious role; adds he wants to use his goodwill for social causes

Nakuul Mehta is on a high. His ongoing TV show is a success, and the actor is also glad that he can use the resultant popularity and “goodwill” to make a difference. “People want to help, but don’t know how to go about it,” says Nakuul, who is given to speaking his mind on Twitter. Excerpts from an interview:

You are quite active on social media and talk about current events as well as issues that need attention, unlike other actors who are usually into selfpromotion…

All of us are in the business of self-promotion, but I believe that on social media, you are not just representing yourself or peddling your TV show. One has to go beyond promotions and use the goodwill for something good. Otherwise, people can see the bluff. They follow you because of the person you are. In fact, I was part of an initiative called Bhaag Anil Bhaag, and we got an incredible response.

Your ongoing TV show has completed a year and is doing well. How does it feel?

It has been spectacular. We have received at least 150 cakes over the past six months from fans all over the world (laughs). It is madness, and I also saw it during my debut show Pyaar Ka Dard Hai (PKDH), which gave me acceptance as an artiste in millions of homes. But with the current show, I got love and respect for my craft. I have realised that in India, no one takes you seriously until you play a serious and more punctuated role. After the boy-next-door role in PKDH, people would pat my back. However, fans are now scared to approach me.

Your web series I Don’t Watch TV (IDWT) got a lot of praise. What’s happening on the digital front?

A lot. IDWT gave us the confidence to make more content. We are in the scripting stage of our second show, which I produce, but do not act in. The idea is to not create content for oneself. Luckily, I am in a place where I have work, but I feel that I don’t want to be someone who is just acting. As TV stars, we are mere commodities who are manipulated by the market to sell stories they want to tell. My need is not to be a star; I want to be the guy who tells stories that make a difference. I am happy to be a part of TV, it’s watched by millions, but my interests lie in books, world cinema and travelling, and I want to use those experiences to make content and divert my TV audience to watch my work as a producer.

One has to go beyond promotions and use the goodwill for something good. Otherwise, people can see the bluff. NAKUUL MEHTA, ACTOR