LIVING HIS DREAM: Rohit Saraf

As Rahul Avasthi in Anurag Basu’s ensemble film Ludo, he was trying to escape a bunch of goons with a bag full of money. As Rishi in Netflix’s Mismatched, he was trying to woo his ‘future wife’. What actor Rohit Saraf didn’t have to try too hard for, is all the love and appreciation coming his way post these projects. “It is overwhelming because I did not expect to get such an amazing reaction from the audience,” the actor tells us. From minor roles in movies such as Dear Zindagi and Hichki to playing Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ son in The Sky is Pink, to now the lead in a web series, it’s been a roller-coaster journey for the actor who was born in Nepal, brought up in Delhi but now considers himself a full-fledged Mumbaikar. The 24-year-old tells us that he thrives on appreciation because that’s what drives him to give it his all! Excerpts from a conversation:

Amidst all the compliments, is there a special one that stands out for you?

It’s not really one but a unanimous compliment which a lot of people have told me – which is that they are relating to my characters and my performance. And that takes me back to my belief that I have to put a bit of myself into all the characters. This is the reason I wanted to be an actor - so I can impact someone’s life or shift something in someone’s mind.

You are very close to your mother. What is her reaction to all this?

I think my mother has always had a certain confidence and belief in me. It’s almost as if she knew it was going to happen but was just waiting for it. I can finally say that my mom is really happy and proud of me.

When did you first realise that you wanted to be in front of the camera?

I have been told by my mother that when I was four or five years old, my father would say that I would grow up to be an actor and I grew up with the idea. I was around 11 or 12 years old when my father passed away. When I was 15, I accompanied my mother and a friend to his photoshoot and my mother suggested I get one done as well. I sent out those pictures to a few casting directors and within a week, I landed a role in a Channel V show and moved from Delhi to Mumbai. When I went on set for the first time and how I felt being there was the defining moment for my career. There’s been no looking back since.

Your journey in films has been slow and steady. Have there been a lot of ups and downs on your way?