From London to Mumbai, meet the current heart thorb of the small screen, the British Asian actor Kavi Shastri. The fitty currently plays the role of Rohan Mehra in Rishta.com
BY SUPRIYA DAVDA | JAN 5, 2010
British Asian actor Kavi Shastri talks to our entertainment journalist Supriya Davda about the struggles in Mumbai, romance, Rohan Mehra and Rishta.com.
Q: Have you always wanted to become an actor?
A: Well I sort of fell into it. I'm not great at sports and I always used to groove to Michael Jackson as a kid so it’s always been in my blood. My parents saw it at a young age and helped me utilise what they saw as a strength and sent me to train as a performer. So all credit for what I do today, goes to them both.
Q: What is your inspiration?
A: I don't think I have one inspiration. I believe my parents and my brother Ravi have been my strength, through all my struggles, so they definatly inspire me. Also I think as you go on in life, you find new things that inspire you everyday.
Q: You have set a great example for British Asians who aspire to be an actor or work within the Hindi Film/Television Industry, and it takes some courage to go to Mumbai and pursue the career of an actor. What advice would you give to those individuals who desire to do the same and perhaps lack the courage?
A: If a guy who has grown up in London, who couldn't speak Hindi before he arrived in Mumbai could do something...why can't you! Just don't give up, your hard work will be your courage.
Q: What kind of difficulties did you have to go through in order for you to be where you are now?
A: There have been restless nights, umpteen sleepless nights, days when you’re upset and times where you feel you just want to pack your bags and go home. Mumbai can be a ruthless city and sometimes you stand outside peoples offices for days with your pictures and walk in the heat to make an audition, but I don't see these as difficulties, more a lesson and if you put your heart into something...then the world is your oyster. These moments make up the bigger picture.
Q: Who would you say has/have been your strength through the trials and turbulences you may have surpassed in the process of achieving what you have today?
A: My family and close friends, they have been there everystep of the way. Also I've trained at the Anupam Kher School here in Mumbai and they took me in and picked me up when I was down. The list is quite long...but I'd like to thank all of them, I'm forever indebted to them and I hope they remain with me for years to come with the same love.
Q: You in fact have appeared on several English shows such as The Bill, Holby City and were also the main protagonist of a children’s show UGetMe, how have you progressed since then in terms of acting?
A: You see every role you play is diffrent. Only the audience can see if I've progressed, my love and passion has grown everyday for my craft and I feel everyday I'm understanding a little bit more about what I do...it's an open endless book, no one can truelly perfect this art, just learn more about it.
Q: How has Mumbai changed you?
A: Well I have an accent now, which my friends back home kindly point out. You can't help it, if you don't have a slight one no one understands you!!! On a serious note, I think I've grown up with the city more than anything.
Q: How did Rishta.com come to you?
A: I kind of turned up to it. It was a long hard struggle, and much of it I can never forget but it just fell into place after months of grewling auditions and Hindi lessons. I gelled to Rishta and Rishta gelled to me.
Q: Before Rishta.com you also appeared as Saif Ali Khan’s friend in Love Aaj Kal, how did you digress into television?
A: Its simple...the script, the character and show was amazing. Whether its film theatre television or on a street corner all I want to do is perform and entertain, what better oppurtunity. In life your not always blessed with fortune as Rishta.com has been for me so you take it with both hands and run for your life with it.
Q: In India your character Rohan Mehra has received a lot adulation, teenage fans are labelling you as “hot” & “cute”, how does that make you feel?
A: Really shy actually. I've never really had that; Rohan has been the guy I always wanted to be. You got me all embarrassed now.
Q:Your character Rohan Mehra is very much a ladies man, what similarities do you and Rohan really have?
A: Not the ladies man bit for sure!!! I think I've turned into Rohan a little, I feel I've become naughtier with him as time has gone on and a lot more confident as well.
Q: Any funny incidents that occurred on the set?
A: It's a new thing everyday. I walk into a light or a thermocol everyday. I can't think of any funny ones, but myself and Kavin Dave who plays Husaifa in the show, like to rehearse our scenes in gujarati...it's weird! Just doesn't sound right!
Q: The backdrop of the sitcom is around a matrimonial service that you and Isha Mirchandani are heads of? What are your personal views about matrimonial sites and agencies?
A: You see before I started the show, I didn't really have a opinion but I would never have joined one. Today it’s a different story and you will see as Rishta moves forward over the weeks, there's a whole array of reasons as to why people go to agencies and sites. I think its fanastic! If I can't find anyone then for what ever reason, I would sign up for sure.
Q: Rohan Mehra doesn’t believe in love, he believes in having a good time and his approach is very laid back when it comes to girlfriends. In the first episode, Rohan ignores his girlfriend’s calls and appears to be quite rude to her. If a real life situation like that were to happen to you (or it may have already) how would you deal with it? How would you tell her “I’m not interested?”
A: I have no idea actually, as Kavi I would be straight up, I don't think I would be as ruthless as Rohan though. I've never had to do it. It's usually the other way round. (Laughs)
Q: Would you change anything about your journey so far. From the boy who attended acting school Itali Conti, thereafter Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares and now on the sets of Rishta.com?
A: Never. As I said earlier, its been worth it every step of the way. If anything, I wish I worked harder when I was younger on my Hindi, and my craft.
Q: How has fame changed you?
A: I don't think it has, I've not really felt it as yet, but I'm just going to keep my head down and work hard.
Q: What’s next for Kavi Shastri?
A. More work hopefully, at the moment I'm concentrating on Rishta.com and with the grace of God, it will bring more opputunities. I think next really is a holiday!
Catch Rishta.com on Sony Entertainment Television every Sundays at 8pm. Click here to view exclusive images or to meet the cast.
