‘Playing a villain was liberating, but challenging’

Actor Keith Sequeira shot to instant fame when he appeared on season 9 of the reality show Bigg Boss with his then-girlfriend (and now wife) Rochelle Rao. What kept him busy after that was the show Love Ka Hai Intezaar, and turning a villain for the first time in his career in his subsequent show.

Asked about the experience of playing a negative character, Keith says, “It was extremely seductive! As an actor, there’s so much more you can do with that kind of a role. It’s liberating, but challenging at the same time. You also have to come to terms with the morality of your character. You get to do a lot of stunts, too.”

The actor feels that playing a baddie, in fact, scored him more brownie points among his fans. “Bad is the new good. In fact, my fans really enjoyed my new image, and I got a lot of messages saying that. Also, you have to stop the monotony from seeping in. Baar baar ek hi cheez karna boring ho jaata hai,” he adds.

Being an actor leaves you with virtually no personal time and since Rochelle is also an actor and TV presenter, both of them lead busy lives. How do they ensure that they get enough time for each other?

“So far, we have been lucky. Recently, she was busy with IPL and I was doing my show, but we did manage to take out time [for each other]. In the future, we’ll get busy again, but that’s the advantage of marrying someone from the industry — they know what’s happening. They know you can get a call anytime. Sooner or later, she will complain ‘Why are you working late at night?’ But we are making conscious efforts,” says Keith, who married Rochelle in March, this year.

As an actor, there’s so much more you can do with a negative role. You also have to come to terms with your character’s morality. You get to do a lot of stunts, too.

KEITH SEQUEIRA ACTOR