When TV actor Harshad Arora took time out to explore Jaipur

On his recent Jaipur visit, actor Harshad Arora spoke to us about his fan following, how he’s enjoying playing a negative character on TV and more


Harshad Arora, who is currently seen on the show

Mayavi Maling

, was in Jaipur recently to promote the show with co-star Neha Solanki. The actor, who rose to fame as Zain Abdullah in Beintehaa, has a huge fan following. When we asked him about his huge female fan following, the actor quickly replied, “Indian television is predominantly watched by women, ab aise mein female fan following koi badi baat nahi hai.” Isn’t he being modest? The actor refuted, saying, “I may sound a bit modest but this is the reality. A huge fan following for an Indian television actor is no big deal.”

‘I like to portray complex characters’
Harshad, who has usually been seen in romantic avatars in TV shows, is excited about appearing in a negative role this time. In the current show, a fantasy drama, he plays the role of an evil prince.

Harshad said, “When the script was narrated to me, I realised that it will be a different ball game for me. I didn’t even give it a second thought and said yes to the role. Soon after the show went on air, I started receiving fan mails complimenting my portrayal of the character. I didn’t even know I could do something like that. Now, I’ve realised that I like complicated roles which have multiple layers to them.”

His parents, however, were a bit sceptical about him playing a negative role. “My parents are my best critics. They often give me feedback about my work. They love watching Prithvi Vallabh (another show) and keep comparing my show with it. So, when I chose to do Mayavi Maling, I had to reassure my parents that doing a negative role will not spoil my real-life image. I am in the industry to be an actor and not a star,” Harshad shared with us.


‘Three choreographers were fired for not being able to teach me how to dance’
He added, “For me, the perfect role is one which gives me the opportunity to explore and challenge myself. I make sure that I sign on such projects that help me evolve as an actor and as a person. That was one of the main reasons of doing Dehleez. There was a sequence in that show where I had to perform Bharatanatyam like a professional dancer. For a non-dancer like me, who also happens to be a slow-learner, it was really difficult. Three choreographers were sacked just because they failed to teach me how to dance. Finally, the fourth one succeeded.”


‘My to-do-list included shopping for leather products from Jaipur’
Harshad took time out to see Jaipur’s historical places while shooting for an Indonesian show couple of years ago.

Sharing his experience with us, he said, “That was the only time when I got to see Jaipur and its culture. What I liked the most about this city was its sweet dish – feni. I got to relish the sweet dish after so many years this time. My co-actor,

Aparna Kumar

, has especially asked me to get some for her too. My to-do-list also included shopping for some leather products from Jaipur and I am happy that I did that.”