ALAN KAPOOR, who plays Angad in Dangal TV’s Pyaar Ki Luka Chuppi, speaks with MUSBA HASHMI about his role, how did the transition from being an engineer to an actor happened and takeaways from the industry
What is your role in Pyaar Ki Luka Chuppi?
I play Angad, a rich boy who falls in love with Srishti (played by Aparna Dixit) who is liked by Angad’s mother and is thought to be the perfect match for him and the family. But, later on they discover that the Srishti is a divorcee and then the drama unfolds. Angad’s mother opposes the marriage and by now he is already in love with the Srishti and he leaves his house for her. Earlier, Angad was like a mumma’s boy and an ideal brother, but now he is upset with his family. On the other hand, Srishti’s life is also complicated because she is now in love with Angad but her ex-husband, Sarthak, who is a friend of Angad, apparently loses his memory. Angad now tries to help Sarthak regain his memory but in the bargain his feelings are ruthlessly being crushed. So, there is a lot of turmoil in Angad’s life at the moment as he is going through a very rough patch.
What made you say yes to the role?
It is a role which I had never played before. A simple, confident guy who is sorted and smiles in adversities and takes a stand for everything. And apart from this, Dangal is one of the fastest growing channel and I wanted to be part of it. I also trust the content of the producers because I have worked with them before. So, everything was a positive and ticked the required boxes.
From an engineer to an actor, how did the transition happen?
I was doing my summer training in Mumbai in one of the automobile companies, that’s when it striked my mind that I should start giving auditions. Gradually, I discovered that I love acting and hence the switch happened. This was the bridge of the transition. The more I immersed myself in acting, the more I discovered the actor in me and I started enjoying it. Now I feel that acting is what I do the best and I want to stick to it as of now.
How tough or easy is to survive in the industry?
I feel when hardwork meets opportunity it leads to success. Only hard work but lack of opportunities might not find success and only having an opportunity but no hard work might be a waste. God has been kind and I have been lucky that things have been smooth for me. Everybody has their shares of ups and downs but that is a part and parcel of life.
A role that you would say no to?
I'd refrain from doing a role which will send wrong signals to the youth or will distract them. I would keep wanting to do roles where I can set examples and I have been fortunate to essay such roles in my career.
Any takeaways from the industry?
My whole life has been a takeaway from the industry. I have learnt so much. Whatever I am, the way I am, the way I talk, the things I have learnt, I owe a lot of it to the industry. The most recent was the use of a fire extinguisher. We learn a lot of things due to the profession. We do a lot of characters and we need a lot of skills to essay those roles. Apart from the worldly takeaways, I have really grown emotionally and spiritually. So yes, those are the takeaways.
How hard or easy is it for you to shoot while adapting to the new normal?
No doubt initially it was really hard. Because we had to wear a mask, remove it while we were giving a shot and then again wear it once it’s done. It was cumbersome. You are scared if anyone sneezes on the set. But now we have adapted to this new normal and I hope this new normal doesn’t stay for very long and things go back to the old normal.
