Barun Sobti and Sanaya Irani in Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon

Barun Sobti is already a big hit among girls for his good looks and charm. The 28-year-old actor, whose popularity soared in the small screen with the serial Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon, is ready for his Bollywood debut film Main aur Mr. Right. In a telephonic conversation with t2,the dashing actor talks about his self-made road to the tinsel town, marriage and a few favourites.

Your fans were devastated when you quit Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon? Was the Bollywood break the reason to do so?

I did not leave the serial because of my upcoming movie. I was shooting for the serial and my film simultaneously but juggling both became a little difficult. The overload of shooting made me physically exhausted. To give my body and mind a break I decided to cut myself some slack and move on. I had informed the producer and the team of Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon well in advance that I wanted to quit.

Tell us about your character in Main Aur Mr. Right?

The movie is a romantic comedy depicting the chemistry between a perfectionist girl and a carefree guy. My character Sukhi is a wannabe actor from Punjab and wants to set everything right in his life and wants to live life king-size. Alia (Shenaz Treasurywala) is a perfectionist looking for her Mr. Right. The film is in its post-dubbing stage and will be out in the theatres by the end of March or the first week April.

Shooting for movies or shooting for serials which one is tough?

Well, shooting itself is a tough job. TV and films both are challenging. The character that you have to portray on screen is what makes the job tough. The more you work on your character, easier the scenes are for you. Diligence and sincerity towards your work is the only mantra for success and will finally lead you to the hall of fame.

After Sushant Singh Rajput’s Kai Po Che, the expectation of directors and the fans from the actors of small screen are high. What you have to say about this?

We have proved ourselves every time. I act because it satisfies me. In fact all of us act for the same reason. Switching to the silver screen from the small screen is not a new trend. Many actors from TV have joined the film industry and made it big. Directors trusted those actors and they are now recognised faces in Bollywood. But again I would like to add that success depends on your hard work. I have put my all into the movie and I hope Bollywood trusts me.

Do you think marriage lowers your popularity and fan following?

(Laughing) Has marriage affected my acting skills? I never felt that after getting married to Pashmeen, my popularity meter has gone down. My fans love me now as much as they did before my marriage. Fans love you for your acting and they judge you by your work not by your personal life. However, if you stop acting well, even if you are very handsome and dashing, fans will lose interest in you.

Barun Sobti (second from right) with the cast and crew of Main Aur Mr. Right

What are your upcoming projects?

I have started a workshop for my next film. It will go on till March 25. From the second week of April we will start filming it. Shooting will take a while, as it will be done at various outdoor locations. Basically this workshop is about the character I am going to play so that I get into the skin of it. Research is needed before you start anything new and interesting. Sorry but I can’t reveal the name of the film. (shhh!)

You have mainly played romantic roles so do you experiment with characters now?

Yes, playing the same character again and again makes life monotonous and gradually you get bored of work. In my upcoming project I am playing a very serious, tough and baffling character. Any actor who sticks to stereotype roles is bound get tired of it eventually. I just want to keep experimenting with characters. This is the best possible way by which I can improve my acting skills too.

Do you intend to host any reality show?

Hope I don’t have to take that road. I am not good at taking options. The options really confuse me. But if something interesting comes my way, I will look into it. Fingers crossed!

How would you describe Barun Sobti?

I am a mango man — a simple guy, who is happy and excited from small pleasures in life. I am patient and take life as it comes. I don’t want things around me to get complicated. I believe life should be flawless and always be lived at its peak.

What is the best quality that you like about your wife Pashmeen Manchanda?

She doesn’t judge people very early. I really like her casual approach towards life and she really makes me feel lively.