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

Shaheer Sheikh

Television made him a household name. Which is probably why Shaheer Sheikh is not ready to "abandon it" despite the lack of good content on TV. He hopes his latest outing, Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi 3, will be a step in the right direction. As he reprises his much-loved character Dev in the third season, the actor discusses the appeal of the storyline, and his hopes of fronting a crime thriller.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

The first season had 388 episodes, while the second was cut short with only 26 episodes. Does a show's length bother you?
In my career, I have never done a show for more than a year-and-a-half. After that, it starts to get monotonous for me as well. I want to play [varied] characters.

The current storyline follows a tried-and-tested trajectory - meeting, fights, love, separation, and then a baby. Do you feel Indian television is not exploring other stories?
I did not know such a storyline had been explored before. What worked for Kuch Rang… before despite having a common storyline, was that it was realistic. There were no vamps; all the characters were grey, including the lead. After five years, so many people walk up to me and say that they loved the show because they [could relate to] that life. That's why I was so excited about season 3.

Does the current content of Indian television bother you, especially shows that garner huge TRPs?
Of course, but it is my responsibility as well to try something new because I am a part of this industry. [It's my duty] to say yes to projects that are apt for today's society. Just because TV doesn't have the kind of content that I would want to make, I will not [walk away]. I will try to make the best of it, rather than abandoning it.

Do you have the creative freedom to comment on a track if it doesn't align with your sensibilities?
That's the best part about this production house - they will always ask us for our opinion. Since we have lived the characters, they think I know what Dev would do in a particular situation. They discuss plans for upcoming episodes with me; I don't remember any other production house that has offered me [so much creative freedom].

You've aced the romantic hero and the family guy. What do you hope to explore next?
I wish to do crime thrillers next. I would love to play a cop some day, but I am still waiting for the right script.

From Kya Mast Hai Life in 2009 to now, have you been content with your career graph?
I have such amazing memories of Kya Mast Hai Life; we felt like we were in a college rather than on a set. When I was asked to play Arjun in Mahabharat, I was taken aback and unsure whether I'd be able to pull it off. It was a big leap from playing the boy-next-door in Navya..Naye Dhadkan Naye Sawaal. Post that, people felt that I can do justice to different characters. From then on, I am learning more with every show.

Why do you keep a low profile, especially when you know that out of sight is considered out of mind here?
That's what I was told when I left for Indonesia for almost two years [to do films]. My priorities are different - I don't want to be the biggest star. I want to live a good life and play interesting characters. I feel social media is a waste of time; I can do better things instead. That said, I'm not questioning those who earn their bread and butter from it.

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