Karan Mehra: Took a break as I wanted to graduate to films

Karan Mehra

Karan Mehra is making a fresh start after a three-year hiatus from Hindi television. The actor, who became a household name after Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, had to exit the show due to health issues. Now, he is back with another ensemble drama, Mehndi Wala Ghar. Thrilled about not having to shoot round the clock, Mehra says that he is glad to be part of a big family drama and still get time to do other things. In conversation with mid-day, the actor reflects on his decision to take a break from television, how it affected his equation with Rajan Shahi and the audience's rock-solid love.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

In your absence from mainstream television, did you feel you were forgotten?
After doing one show [Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai] for the longest time, I kept doing something or the other to keep me occupied. Lately, I did a Punjabi show [Mawaan Thandiyan Chawan]. I had taken a break from TV because I wanted to explore new things, I wanted to graduate to films. That's why I did the Punjabi show for a year. I was also busy doing music videos. Mehndi Wala Ghar happened suddenly. It never felt like I was absent from the screen.

What made you take up Mehndi Wala Ghar?
Shashi [Mittal] and Sumeet [Hukamchand Mittal, producers] wanted me to join the show. The character was strong and was like one of the leads. It was difficult to say no to them as they are friends more than producers. After the promo was out, the buzz was created that I'm back on TV. It almost gives that [same] feeling of what I had created 15 years ago.

Did you feel that since the cast is so huge, the plot may not focus on you?
It's easy being part of a big family. It feels great because these days, you don't have such big families on TV mostly because the makers can't afford to have such a big cast anymore. But it was amazing to come together and meet such lovely artistes, including Vibha Chibber, Kanwarjeet Paintal, Ramakant Daayma, Ravi Gossain, and Rushad Rana, among others. Plus, I get a lot more time to keep myself occupied which helps me concentrate on other things as well.

The channel is notorious for pulling the plug on shows if the TRPs aren't high. Does that worry you?
After 20 years of working [in the industry], I don't think I should be worried about these things. Every show has its own fate. I never understood the TRP game. I believe in doing my job 100 per cent; the rest is in the audience's hands. Every channel has its own take. Such a huge show is a big thing for the channel and us.

Did you ever feel that with time, the audience's love has reduced?
Not at all. Actually, I've been fortunate that even after I left, the channel still airs the [re-run] of the previous episodes. I even had a five-year-old come up to me, saying, ‘You're Naitik' [his character in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai]. The new generation is still watching the repeats. So, I don't think that goes away. Yeh Rishta…
and Naitik will always stay with me.

How is your equation with Rajan Shahi now that you're no longer doing the show?
I recently went to the set of Yeh Rishta… and met the director and the crew because I was shooting next door. That's how close it will always remain. [After a point], I [developed] health problems because of the long years that I'd given to Yeh Rishta... and it was quite alarming. I became allergic to all kinds of food. Finally, I had to move on. I am still on good terms with Rajan sir. I recently wished him on his birthday. I don't know about rumours, but we [often] talk to each other.