It’s no small feat to step into the shoes of the male lead in a TV show that’s been on the air for five years. Shakti Arora took up the challenge to enter Kundali Bhagya as the new hero after Dheeraj Dhoopar, who became a household name as Karan Luthra, decided to exit the show in July this year. Following this, the latter’s fans started inundating him with comments on his social media page to return to the show. However, Shakti knows how to take these distractions on his chin.
Ask him if he was anxious before accepting the challenge and the actor, who returned to TV after three years with Kundali Bhagya, replies, “Comparisons are bound to happen as you are stepping into someone else’s shoes. However, I wasn’t anxious at all because I was aware of the challenge I was taking up. I was prepared for the comparisons, which is why I stopped reading comments and let my work do the talking for me.”
He adds, “I respect everyone’s fans. They have the right to comment and I am happy that they are loyal to a particular person. The audience has the right to compare and give gaalis, too, and it’s an actor’s job to win their hearts. Also, I have reached a stage where these comments or comparisons don’t make or break me. I believe in doing my work sincerely. I’m doing the best I can and by God’s grace, it has worked for me. I am only concentrating on my role and playing it convincingly. As long as you do that, you can connect with the audience. I am glad that people have accepted me and the transition has been smooth.”
Talking about bonding with his co-actors, Shakti shares, “It is slowly developing. I feel blessed that all of them have accepted me and have given me a warm welcome on the show.”
