Confessions of a lazybones

Manpriya Singh

As much as a state of mind, laziness is an art of being. No wonder, it is one thing to be lazy and quite another to fake so. And in the difference lies the difficulty, so much so that playing a slacker onscreen was nothing what it sounds.

“I play a lazy and a laidback boy, which was very difficult. Because even if you are standing onscreen, there has to be some energy about it. So, if you play a lazy character and are lying down in front of the camera, there has to be an impact,” laughs Priyansh Jora talking about his character Titu, the protagonist in the upcoming Tu Mera Hero.

This, despite a background in the art of lazing around! “Yes, I have been like that in school and during my college years. Just slouching or lying about and doing nothing.”

To be aired on Star Plus, the daily soap, traces the journey of Titu, who hopes to win hearts with his quirky, funny outlook towards life, all the while being laidback. Then there’s the dreamy Panchi, the bubbly girl next door who dreams of a fairy tale love story. Set in Mathura, the serial traces the unpredictable union of the two.

“It has almost been a dream role in several ways. Not just do I play the lead guy but I get to be so many things, at times a charmer, at times making fun of people.”

He adds, “It was the totality of the character that attracted me, because there’s performance, romance and dance.”

Acting bug

A mass communications graduate from Delhi University, acting has been on the radar for over half a decade now. “I have wanted to be an actor since 2007. I completed my studies keeping that in mind,” shares the actor earlier seen in 24. While a dream role would be something which has never been done before, nevertheless, “I would like to play an Amitabh Bachchan, or APJ Abdul Kalam or Leonardo Di Caprio. It would be some opportunity to get an insight into their lives.”

Blame it on the lack of viewing television while growing up, the role models exist outside the small screen. “I admire everybody in this new crop of actors, right from Ranbir Kapoor to Ranveer Singh. I would want to take up something or the other from all of them.”

Busy boy

Each subsequent interaction confirms on the grueling shooting hours, long television schedules. Even at the time, he’s juggling between things, apologizing for not giving an interview in one go. “Actually, there’s a shoot going on and there’s a photo shoot going on.” That leaves little scope for projects elsewhere. “Something came up but I had to give it up because of this show. Right now, I want to give it my hundred per cent, my sweat, blood and toil.” That’s a lot of sacrifice and homework for playing a lazy onscreen!

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The television serial to air on Star Plus at 8pm from December 22.