Popular TV actor Gashmeer Mahajani, who is currently playing Viraj in 'Tu Zakhm Hai 2', spoke about the kind of work he is getting, his interest in exploring different mediums and about his role in the web series.
Speaking about his role, Gashmeer said: "People should know more about Viraj than Gashmeer, and people are getting to know and appreciate it. I don't want the audience to know who Gashmeer is and I think that I don't act while I am in front of the camera. I feel that I'm very authentic in front of the camera. We work in such an industry that people start to act when the camera stops rolling."
"I feel very honest while performing in front of the camera. If you stay true, you will be called names. Only your immediate family knows the true version of you. In the outer world, the only legitimate time for me is when I'm in front of the camera and it is rolling; that's when I feel I'm content," he added.
When asked if he analysed the character differently now after the shooting is over, he added: "I was shooting different shows and after that, suddenly, I started binge-watching 'Tu Zakhm Hai', and after a certain time, I started observing Viraj. Some shots that I have shot and the mannerism of Viraj are very realistic and convincing."
"As I am watching the show and discovering Viraj, there are many shades that I came across as a viewer. When I saw Viraj assassinating people on screen, he enjoyed the killings like they were breakfast for him. It was shocking and fascinating to watch as a viewer. The role I played was actually showing on screen, as I thought," he shared.
Gashmeer is a well-known face of the Marathi and Hindi entertainment industries. He made his Hindi film debut with 'Muskurake Dekh Zara' and also acted in TV shows such as 'Anjaan: Special Crimes Unit', 'Imlie', and participated in dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10'.
Is happy with the kind of roles he is getting? "Yes, I'm content with the roles I'm getting to play. If anyone gets to play a Godlike character, and that's fiction, they are well appreciated and get a huge fan following on social media by the audience. I feel there's nothing like dark or light shade in anyone's life."
"Everybody plays a grey shade in their life. A chunk of the audience likes to see all white-shade characters, but I feel that an actor should play a grey shade because the grey light brings out the organic element in the character."
The actor is now seen in the TV show, 'Ishq Mein Ghayal' and is also doing a web series 'Tu Zakhm Hai 2'. However, the actor has his preferences and he said that as an artist he finds more satisfaction in films and digital medium.
"I've always mentioned multiple times that the most satisfaction an artist gets is through films or the web compared to daily soaps. It is important to understand the kind of reality shows you're doing on TV. I did 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa Season 10' only because I got a chance to showcase my talent. As an actor, even if I do a TV show, I tell the director upfront, 'Please don't tell me TV works in a certain manner, and there are certain processes,' because my performance between 'action' and 'cut' remains the same, regardless of the medium."
"I work according to the character's needs. I won't approach the character differently depending on the medium. Whether it's TV, OTT or a 70 mm screen, I will justify my character and put my best foot forward," he concluded.
'Tu Zakhm Hai 2' streams on MX Player.