Exclusive: Barun Sobti says his character in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3 is unapologetically dark
Barun Sobti opens up about his character, love for reading and desire to be behind the camera.
When Barun Sobti asked for a black coffee with no sugar, it instantly reminded me of ASR. Not Advay but Arnav Singh Raizada from Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon. Who can forget the angry young man from the first installment of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, that made Barun Sobti a household name.
The actor looked cool in a simple black t-shirt and blue jeans.
In an exclusive chat with India Today Digital, the actor reveals about his role in his upcoming show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3 and more.
You will be back on TV after five years. What took you so long?
When I had quit, at that time I wanted to travel with my wife (Pashmeen Manchanda) and spend some time with her. After that, I took things as it came. So I did films, short films and a web series. This (Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3) concept was the first that I liked.
Are you choosy about your projects?
Thankfully, I have the liberty to be (choosy). I have a very adjusting family. They are not like ja paise le ke aa types. (laughs)
Tell us about your character Advay Singh Raizada.
Advay is a science professor. He is not much of a nice guy. I can't call him grey because he is not at all considerate of the society. He is out and out a dark character. He is unapologetically dark because of the things happened to him.
When I was being briefed about the character of Advay, I was thinking in my head that this is very wrong what he is doing. So, when is he going to do the good things. That's when my producers told that's where the whole challenge of the casting comes in. We have to hire an actor that will make this character look compelled enough to do this. Where people when they watch you, they think if I was in his place, probably I would have done the same thing. That was one thing that really struck me and got me excited about the role.
How different is Advay from Arnav?
Arnav had found a way to hide his misery behind his work. Arnav never really dealt with his problem, he never liked to talk about his parents. Basically, that was what ate him up and that was what the whole character was about. Advay, on the other hand, refuses to stop thinking about it and his whole agenda lies around his past life. He is not like he will not talk about it. He will talk about it and he will react and behave based on what has happened in his past life. His agenda is very clear.
Also read: First look of Barun Sobti as Advay Singh Raizada in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3 unveiled
What sort of homework do you do before getting into the character?
I have read a lot about the character -- the back stories, character traits, correlations with the other characters, screenplay and the script. I have given it a lot of thought. I do play the scenes again and again in my head and improve on what I thought initially.
You take interest in your character and the story. What part of film-making interests you the most?
This is a very difficult question. I have directed on behalf of my directors a few times. But I have not directed with credit of course. Directing is a very-very difficult job. With respect to keeping your sanity, the more you are dedicated to your job, the more you think about it. And there is so much to think about for the director. I don't know if I am prepared right now or not, but somewhere down the line, I would like to do it. That's the plan, actually. I really hope I can.
You left television because you felt stressed out. Are you now ready get into the daily soap mode?
I am totally committed to this show. I don't know how many people know this but at the time I had signed the first show with my producer saying I will do this only for a year. But at that time I was not good with paperwork. But this show is going to be finite series, which will run for a year, hopefully.
Sanaya and Mohit are a part of Nach Baliye. Are you following the show?
Of course, peet degi yaar agar follow nahi karenge.
You have been a part of TV, films, web series and a play. Which medium you find most difficult and why?
Plays are definitely the most difficult of them all. They are entirely a different category altogether. I don't have the courage to try out plays. I am not ready to be laughed at, right now. A lot of respect to people who do theatre but I wouldn't make a good theatre actor is what I feel.
You like reading. What kind of books interests you more?
I like to read non-fiction. I like to be aware of the cultural and political setup of our country and the world. Currently, I am reading Mihir Bose's The Indian Spy. It's about a secret agent who was spying during the second world war for five countries including India.
Fans are crazy about you. Anyone, you are a big fan of?
No, no. I am not a crazy person. I think the craziest thing I have ever done was when I saw Sachin Tendulkar for the first time. I had a very difficult time fathoming the courage to walk up to him and shake hands. That's my crazy. I am actually boring.
What do you miss the most about Delhi?
I miss the Delhi winters the most.
Your favourite hangout place in Delhi?
It used to be Friday's in Connaught Place. It's shut now.
Your fans were eagerly awaiting Satya Ki Kiran. It got shelved. What exactly went wrong?
I don't know what went wrong. I am guessing they (the makers) were not happy with how it turned out. We had shot just the first episode of the show.
Tanhaiyan was magical. How was your experience shooting for the series?
Woah! It was awesome. It was a very quick 29 days. I had very very good experience.
How does your wife Pashmeen deal with all the female attention coming your way?
She's a very wise woman. She doesn't think about it like that. She knows what the reality of our world is. There's nothing to handle basically. (smiles)