In a year when TV’s leading men have been loving and super supportive of their women, Nakuul Mehta’s Shivaay Singh Oberoi in Ishqbaaz has come like a sharp contradiction. The wedding track is the talk of the town. The actor won the Best Actor Award at AVTA 2016 and spoke to Bollywood Life about what makes Shivaay unique and special….
Did you expect the award at AVTA 2016?
To be honest and fair, the character and the show is a good one. It has been well-received by people. I take great pride in whatever I do. So, I was ‘not’ not expecting the honour.
From Shaheer Sheikh in KRPKAB to Vivian Dsena in Shakti, this has been an year for male actors. Who did you feel was your toughest competitor?
As a TV actor, you do not get time to consume your own work. There is hardly any time left to watch what your peers are doing. I used to wonder why film actors say it is tough to catch up on what others are doing but now I realise what they meant. When you are shooting for a show, you are totally into it with very little free time. I have seen bits of Shaheer’s Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi and it I feel it is a very good and realistic show. He has done a great job. Vivian Dsena is a dear friend. All are doing a good job and delivering their best, which is why they are loved.
(Also Read: Ishqbaaz: Anika to give a TIGHT SLAP to Shivaay)
Whom would you give credit to for Shivaay Singh Oberoi?
It is actually full credit to my writers and producers. The makers were willing to bet money on me to play this role when I played a diametrically opposite character in my last show, Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara. It took a lot of guts on their side. SSO is totally different from Nakuul. That is what I love about my role…the chance to do be someone who is just not me. I am absolutely loving it. While I do come with a pedigree in real life, I do not share any of SSO’s values and thoughts.
You come from Prithviraj Chauhan’s dynasty. Did you take any inspiration from your forefathers?
I did not consciously look into it. Yes, I do come from an amazingly illustrious background. The walls of my home are adorned with pictures of my forefathers. They fought all the wars. There is a lifesize portrait of my great-grandfather, which is 150 years old. When you see them in their military wear, the sense of royalty unknowningly seeps into you. I was also reading my dad’s novel Guns And Glories while shooting for Ishqbaaz, so maybe sub-consciously I got some reference points.
Shivaay is a total chauvinist. Did the character not bother you in this feminist wave on TV?
As an actor, you choose your own roles. I like to be unabashed. If he is a chauvinist, there is no point in going half way just to keep a few people happy. There are characters like Shivaay in society and as an actor you portray what you see around you. We want people to feel Anika’s pain. It would be selfish to alter the character just to obtain a middle path. We are not making a preachy show but people should and must have problems with someone like Shivay.
Pinky complains the bride's dress got spoilt in Ishqbaaz IB1
Pinky (Nikita Anand) is very unhappy that Tia's (Navina Bole) wedding dress got spoiled. She says it is bad luck. Rudra says this means that the universe does not want Tia to marry Shivaay (Nakuul Mehta). They send Anika upstairs
Image credit: Hotstar
Anika is shocked to see a new girl in Ishqbaaz IB2
Anika (Surbhi Chandna) goes up and tells Tia that she will call the designer if the dress needs a quick fix. However, she is shocked to see a new girl in place of Tia.
Image credit: Hotstar
Anika reads the papers and is furious with Shivaay in Ishqbaaz IB4
Anika reads the papers and comes to know that Shivaay will marry Richa for a day and then divorce her. She feels aghast to know how he can spoil a girl's life so heartlessly. Richa says she does not want to hurt her parents but cannot marry him like this. Anika says she will not interfere in the matter.
Image credit: Hotstar
Richa says she wants to end her life in Ishqbaaz IB5
The girl, Richa is unsure about what she wants to do. When Anika refuses to help her, she says she wants to end her life.
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Anika tells Richa to follow her heart in Ishqbaaz IB6
Anika tells Richa that it is upto a girl to respect her choices and identity. She says sindoor and mangalsutra are priceless in a girl's life. Anika tells Richa to marry someone she loves. She says that something cannot be purchased by money.
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Richa tells Shivaay that she cannot marry him in Ishqbaz IB7
Richa says that Anika has opened her eyes and that she cannot marry Shivaay for money. She gives him the contract papers and leaves from the spot. He blames Anika.
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Shivaay is furious with Anika in Ishqbaaz IB8
Shivaay blames Anika for this mess. He says you always create problems for my family and me. He tells her that Tia has run away and his family will have no face to show before the world. He accuses her of changing Richa's mind.
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Anika slaps Shivaay in Ishqbaaz IB9
When she tells him that he is doing wrong by buying a wife, he accuses her of getting intimate with Daksh (Karan Khanna) for money. He calls her cheap. Furious, she slaps him.
Image credit: Hotstar
Shivaay drags Anika to the changing room in Ishqbaaz IB10
Shivaay says you will pay for your mistakes. He says you will wear sindoor and mangalsutra of my name and take the seven vows. Anika refuses.
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Shivaay threatens her with dire consequences in Ishqbaaz 11
Shivaay says you have to marry or else I will ruin your life.
Image credit: Hotstar
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