Stop differentiating between films and TV

Vikrant Rai shot to fame with his role in the TV serial ‘Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan’. He became one of the popular faces on Indian TV with the show ‘Maayka’. This year he is coming up with his second film ‘Bhouri’.

How did the transition from TV to movies happened?
I have been known for intense and lover boy characters on television. My journey was smooth as I got my first break with Balaji Productions. Ekta, who liked my performance and personally called me and selected me for her mega show of the year ‘Kavyanjali’. That was my first audition and I was selected.

Later, I moved to Zee TV and did two shows where I played the lead role. Luckily, both the shows were an instant hit wherever Zee had its reach and my characters were received well. I always wondered why only star sons debut on big screen and why not someone like me.

I took it as a challenge and decided that no matter what I will debut in Bollywood and prove to everyone that with patience, self-belief and determination that even a boy from nowhere can conquer Rome. Surely it took me sometime.

Tell us a bit about the movie and your role in the ‘Bhouri’?
‘Bhouri’ is story about people who depend on daily wages. They don't know what glamour, fashion and lavish life is all about. Life is very monotonous. Director Jasbi Bhaati has tried to show through his film how the beauty of one woman becomes curse for her. I am playing a city boy called Shekhar, who comes to this doomed village to shoot a documentary film. Villagers nickname him "Filmy Babu". My character brings a big twist in the film, which I can't reveal now.

Who was more close to you on the sets of ‘Bhouri’?
Well my script was closest to me as I am very much focused when it comes to my job as an actor, to the point that director has to remind me Vikrant come out of it. Now other than the script obviously I am closest to my director Jasbir Bhati with whom I made my Bollywood debut last year in film ‘Uvaa’.

TV and films what do you prefer?
Good work, wherever it comes from, be it TV or films, are welcome. It’s high time we stop differentiating between film and television, as both are a form of entertainment and both have their own importance.

By:Askari Jaffer