After playing IPS Zakir Siddiqui in ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’ and DCP Virat Chavan in ‘Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar’, TV actor Neil Bhatt is now going to play the role of IPS Arjun in ‘Megha Barsange’. Neil has also been a part of Bigg Boss 17, from where he has also received the title of ideal husband. In an exclusive conversation with Aaj Tak, Neil talked about his upcoming serial Megha Barsange, his love for social service and going to Bigg Boss as a couple.
Neil’s character in the serial ‘Megha Barsange’?
Arjun is a young IAS officer. Apart from being a funny guy, he is also very logical. To achieve his goals, he can cross his limits. He talks only on logic instead of emotions. If someone looks too emotional, he will make fun of him. Sometimes he crosses his limits, but he will also say sorry just as quickly. This character is very different from me.
Neil is playing the role of a public service officer for the fourth time, has your hidden wish been fulfilled?
I don’t know how I am getting such roles. I am doing them. But I am so attracted to them that I can play the role of an officer and I am doing them. I am thankful that there are such roles where there is a uniform or work or a dignity in the role. I am very happy doing such roles. This is not my personal choice but if I am getting offers then I cannot refuse because the stories are good. An IAS officer has dignity and Arjun (Megha Barsange’s character) has that but he also has a lot of fun. There is an incident from his childhood too, due to which he is like this.
Is ‘Arjun’ a mirror image of Neil who emerged as an ideal husband from Bigg Boss?
I try not to mix my personal and professional life. I am what I am in my personal life. Now whatever it is, it is a serial. Neel is not Arjun, Arjun is not Neel. I don’t know why we give tags, these are very heavy tags, I don’t take them lightly. This is the love of the fans. I don’t believe that I am perfect.
Actors are calling the TV industry regressive, did they quit? Neil expressed his opinion
I don’t think so. Maybe the projects he said yes to had such content and that’s why he felt that way. Thankfully, the projects I got or was a part of were not like that. There were many projects that addressed that regressive issue and worked with the objective that such things should not happen in society. If the objective of a project is that such regressive things should not happen in our society, then there is nothing wrong in it. Now if there is a tradition going on in society and the show is based on it, then it does not mean that the show is regressive, but that tradition is regressive. We are trying to unite the society through the show. Those shows also have the same objective. So it is not that I don’t understand it.
I am happy to be a part of such shows, I have been a part of many such shows, I am proud. I cannot say that I don’t want to do it, obviously I want to do it. I am an artist so I want to be a part of every medium. So I don’t want to do only TV, I want to do web shows, films, everything. But I don’t believe that all the content is regressive, those who think it is regressive, it is their thinking.
What new will ‘Megha Barsange’ serve to the audience, is it an old story?
I played the role of a police officer thrice but all three serials were hits. The audience liked me. People loved me a lot. Similarly, the story may seem similar on the surface, but when you watch it, you will realize that it is very different. Its presentation is different, the cast is different, the location is different, the theme is different. Some things in our lives match in some way or the other, but they are not the same. Similarly, you feel that the story of the serial is old, but it is not. The story of Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Mein was also a love triangle which has been going on for centuries, but people liked it, there is a way of telling the story, with which people relate.
Neil dominated Big Boss, doesn’t watch the show anymore
Neil was a part of Bigg Boss 7. Neil entered the reality show as a couple with his wife Aishwarya Sharma. There was a lot of talk about the couple. However, Neil has now kept a distance from this show. Talking about this show, he refused to comment on any contestant. He said- I neither used to watch Bigg Boss earlier, nor do I watch it today. I have already told this. I never expressed interest in that show. I have been in that show but being in it and watching it from outside are two different things.
Talking about the serial Megha Barsange, it will soon be aired on Colors channel from 6th August at 7 pm.