ABHISHEK NIGAM, who plays a superhero in SAB TV’s new show Hero —Gayab Mode On, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about his character, how he got into acting and his first day of shoot
What is your role in the show?
I play a superhero. I play two characters and both are different from each other. One, Veer, he is a compassionate person, fun-loving and responsible. While is a do-gooder but he is not the kind of person people can take advantage of. He is the one who finds the magical ring. The other is the super hero who takes on the true image of what Veer is all about – he is naughty. The ring is evil and brings out the bad in the wearer. But since Veer is such a good person, the ring doesn’t overpower him.
How did you come on board the project?
I got a call for an audition. I was very hopeful and gave the auditions. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that part. A few months later, I got a call for another audition. When I went to sign the contract, that is when I came to know it was a lead.
How tough was it to bring out the contrast in the two roles you play?
It was a bit tough but I love challenges and that’s the reason why I took it up. The roles excited me and I was looking for a project like this. I am grateful I got it. I identify with my character of a superhero; Veer is too good and nobody is that perfect.
Your brother is also an actor, do you think there will be comparisons?
I don’t think so. Our work is totally different and we are different people. Our approach to acting is not the same either. The genre we are working on is different as well. Siddharth (who plays Aladdin) and I have always done things that are not the same. I am hoping that people too get to see different things.
How did you get into acting?
I came to Mumbai in 2014 and pursuing law. At the same time, I started giving auditions. But things never move or happen the way you want them to. Whatever acting that I know, I have learnt while giving auditions. I used to get called for a lot of mythological shows. Slowly, I made contacts and started getting work. That is how I got a role in Panipat.
What made you turn to TV then after doing a film?
At the stage where I am today, it doesn’t matter whether it is TV or films. If we see screens are getting smaller —from 70 mm to laptops to tablets to mobiles today. People see content that you are part of and how big it is.
You are the elder brother. Was it tough to wait for the right role while your brother already had a show as a lead?
I never felt that he had more than I had. I was not desperate to get a break in the industry. I was doing my own thing back then. I was doing law and even directing that kept me busy. There were other small ventures that I was part of. I played tennis at the State level. My brother and I have never competed with each other, we have been a support system to one another.
What are these ventures?
Over the years, I learnt directing and did two music videos under my own label. So that is something that I do. Also, while shooting for Panipat, I learnt more about directing. When you are in the industry, you tend to pick up tips.
What do your parents think — both sons in acting?
My mother has always been supportive. She told us that whatever we did we needed to give it our best.
You did a show — Chandra Nandini — with Siddharth. How was it to work with him?
We had a lot of fun. The only problem that I faced was how people would confuse my name with his. Working with him was great. When we work professionally, I treat him as a serious person since he has been in the industry for a longer time.
Most super hero shows in India are not as good as one gets to see in Hollywood. Will there be comparisons?
There will be comparisons whatever we make. Even if we make a love story people will say Hollywood made it like this. But our industry has given some great super heroes like Shaktiman and Balveer. What matters is how we approach the project. It is not correct to what we are doing on TV with a Marvel project. In fact, it is wrong to compare a film with a TV show due to scalability.
