Shalin Bhanot changes name for a shot at love
He has been an actor for over 10 years and has featured in TV shows such as Suryaputra Karn and Sher-e-Punjab: Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He is currently seen in a mythological show in a negative role. With his career on track, it was surprising to know that Shaleen Bhanot had changed the spelling of his name to Shalin. Ask him why the change now, and he says, “The reason is funny. My mum is really tensed that I live all alone in Mumbai and that I have no family or loved ones in my life. She wants me to have someone in my life and fall in love again. The change in the spelling is ‘totka’ and so that I get a great, sweet girl in my life (laughs).” The actor was married to Dalljiet Kaur in 2009 and they filed for divorce in 2015 which was finalised in 2017. Shalin admits if it weren’t for his mother, he would have never taken this step. “I really don’t have the time or the mental space to get into a relationship right now. Moreover, I am in a very happy space in life. But if my mum’s ‘totka’ works, then I should fall in love again. So, let’s see if it happens organically,” says the actor.
His last two roles in negative shades got him a positive response and Shalin says he feels lucky to get characters that have such an impact. “For me, a role is never positive or negative. It is just sketch of a human self with lot of characteristics. I love playing a character which has layers and quirks, which is why I guess, I end up choosing them.”