EXCLUSIVE! Shaheer Sheikh: The moment I got into costume on the 'Pavitra Rishta' sets, I became Manav

Shaheer Sheikh; picture/PR

Shaheer Sheikh, one of TV's more popular faces has been busy juggling multiple projects like 'Pavitra Rishta 2' with Ankita Lokhande, 'Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi' opposite Erica Fernandes, while simultaneously shooting for music videos as well. The new dad tells mid-day.com all about what he has been up to!

Now that the third season of Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi has been on air for a while what are the reactions you have been getting?

The audience loved the first season, so we were expected to do better or at least as good as that season. The essence of the show is that it is very real and deals with issues that we face in everyday life. Shows rarely touch the after-marriage part; issues couples deal with after they have kids. I'm learning so much from the show and feel it's important to have a serial like this back on screen and the reactions have been positive.

What were your thoughts about the new twist with Dev and Sonakshi's child who was lost at birth returning to their lives?

The writers were looking for something that creates a distance between Dev and Sonakshi before they eventually come back together. So I felt they would have to crack this initial twist. It was quite tricky for the writers to come up with something that is real and justified, it should not look trivial. They took the cinematic liberty to do something dramatic while still trying to keep it real. Initially the twist was difficult for me to accept as well, but the makers told me about one such real incident that happened in Delhi. That's how I got convinced and we went ahead with this track.

As you said Kuch Rang… believes in keeping it real. You all recently had a track about marriage counseling as well…

We are trying to show it as not something that is taboo, people can take that approach. Going for counseling doesn't mean there something wrong with you mentally. Even if there is, it's like going to the doctor. We are putting it out there and hoping the message passes on to the audience.

You have been shooting for Pavitra Rishta at the same time so how did you transform from Dev to Manav?

That's what I found exciting; an actor would always like to do different characters. I wondered how I could make Manav look different; the aura can't be the same. The way he walks, the way he talks, everything had to be different. Surprisingly, I didn't have to put in much effort. The moment I got into costumes on the sets I would just become Manav. It has a lot to do with the environment you are in and the clothes you are wearing, it makes your mind believe you are the character.

How did you prepare yourself for comparisons to Sushant Singh Rajput since viewers were attached to his chemistry Ankita Lokhande on Pavitra Rishta?

That is why I was not really sure in the beginning. The show has been such a big hit and it's a romantic series. They (Sushant and Ankita) were really liked as a couple, so it was difficult to make people believe that I am Manav. Later, I realised another actor (Hiten Tejwani) had played Manav too and now it's me. The main thing that gave me confidence was when Usha tai (Usha Nadkarni) and Ankita accepted me as Manav. Initially, I was very nervous because I was not trying to copy anyone or do it in a particular way, I wanted the character to be as natural as possible. I was not sure how people would react to my role.

Did having a supportive co-star like Ankita make things a bit easier?

Of course! She has worked on the show for six years and they know the show more than anyone else. Ankita helped me understand the show and the graph of my character along with mannerisms. She would object to things she felt Manav would never do. In the first season, if I tucked in my shirt, she would point out that Manav would never dress like that. Things like that helped me to get the character right.

Also read: Shaheer Sheikh: I don't want to be the biggest star

You have also been doing music videos recently that were well received. Is it something you enjoy as well?

It's like a breather you get from your daily routine by visiting a different location for two days. It's not emotionally challenging because I don't have to get into a character. It's more relaxed and doesn't demand too much. At the same time I get to travel and meet new people. I really like that format.

Your music video with Hina Khan ‘Baarish Ban Jaana' became popular and now you are teaming up for the second time…

She's an amazing co-star. We have already shot our second video and it should release in a month but I'm very excited for that video as well. Hina is very hard working and gives it her all, every second she keeps thinking about what improvisations can be made in the project. That's how her mind works and when you have such people around you, even you want to give more to your work. She's very motivating for everyone on set.

How excited are you about the OTT boom?

It's very exciting because people are experimenting with new concepts. If anybody thinks I can do justice to the role, I'm sitting here, get in touch with me! I'll be more than happy to play the part (laughs).

Also read: Ankita Lokhande on 'Pavitra Rishta 2': Nobody can replace Sushant Singh Rajput on the show