In India, nobody enjoys more popularity than cricketers and actors.
And, Aashish Bhardhwaj is a rare combination of both. A state-level cricket player, he has now marked his debut in showbiz with ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2’ (‘KZK 2’), in which he plays Mohnish.
The actor, who has previously done modeling and has featured in several magazines, says that acting has always been his dream profession. “I have always wanted to become an actor. In fact, I started training for it right during my college days, by working with different theatre groups,” he says.
What about cricket? “It was just a hobby for me. Yes, I was good at it, so I played till state level. I still love cricket, but talking about life goals, I have always wanted to study well and get into acting,” he replies.
Contrary to popular belief, Aashish doesn’t think that it’s tough for an outsider to enter the industry. “Tough and easy is a state of mind.
I have always wanted to be an actor, and I am enjoying every moment of it. For me, the biggest challenge is being honest to the character I am portraying. There’s no denying that it’s a profession full of uncertainties, but I see that as an adventure,” he says.
The young actor is not a great believer in luck either. He reasons, “For me, luck is all about being at the right place at the right time.
When everyone was confined to their homes during the lockdown, I got a call from Ekta Kapoor’s office for ‘KZK 2’. Most people might call it luck, but for me, it’s the result of my focus and determination. I have worked hard to grow as a person and as an actor.”
Interestingly, while most actors look for diversity in their roles, Aashish has an interesting take on it. He says, “It’s exciting to play different characters, but playing the same part for a long time helps you discover its core. I think nothing can be more fulfilling for an actor than connecting with his character at so deep a level. Also, even if you are playing similar characters, you can always add variations to it.”
Now that he has fulfilled his dream of being an actor, what kind of roles does he want to play in the future? “There are no bad or good roles. It’s your honesty as a performer that makes all the difference.
And, I always try to be honest to my character and portray it in as real a manner as possible. So, I am open to everything that excites me,” he signs off.
