Rode to redemption
A HUGE STAR IN THE TV WORLD, GAUTAM RODE IS HOPING TO FINALLY MAKE A MARK IN B-TOWN WITH HIS RETURN TO THE BIG SCREEN AFTER A LONG HIATUS
Gautam Rode is known for being an extremely popular TV star, but he has had few filmy outings, and none of them memorable. But with Aksar 2, he is hoping to announce his arrival all over again. The actor, talking about switching mediums, says, “The medium means little to me. I am fascinated by good roles. I have been doing TV non-stop for six years with shows of different genres. I always wanted to play something that I haven’t done before. When it came to films, I wasn’t being offered what I would have liked to do. When Aksar 2 was offered, my last TV show was getting over. So, the timing was perfect and the character was novel and challenging.”
Many actors like Sushant Singh Rajput and Karan Singh Grover have stayed away from TV after they left the industry but Gautam has no problems making a U-turn. He says, “If I get a good role in TV, I will immediately go back. I don’t think those stereotypes attached to different mediums exist any longer. Veterans like Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor are doing both films and TV simultaneously. The only difference is the duration as TV consumes a lot of time but if you get a season-based show, why not? I will be happy to manage both.”
None of the films he has done previously did well enough to make Gautam a mainstay in Bollywood. Ask him if it is a monkey on his back to prove himself as 70mm material and he denies it, “I wasn’t known as an actor initially. My films didn’t click. Later, my TV shows turned out to be mega hits and made me a household name. I’m happy how my journey has panned out. Today actors come trained in acting, dancing etc. Unlike them, I’ve learnt everything on the sets. Even I don’t like my previous portrayals although I used to give 100 per cent then too just as I do today. The difference now is that I have lot more experience,” and adds, “I have seen lots of ups and downs. I keep my head firmly on my shoulder. I knew no one in this fraternity and I feel proud of what I have achieved. I never focussed on not having godfathers. For that matter, people with godfathers too have faced their own challenges. If your work is good, people will accept you.”
Lastly, about his love life in real life, Gautam smiles and says, “There is something happening. Please wait for sometime, I’ll tell the whole world who I’m in love with. Things are at a very early stage right now.”
Please wait for sometime, I’ll tell the whole world who I am in love with. Things are at a very early stage right now.