In the seventh heaven

Mona

Karan Mehra, aka Naitik, has ruled the small screen for long six years and raring to go. Naitik Raj Shekhar Singhania of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has sailed through some 1,700 episodes, two major leaps and still romancing his onscreen wife Akshara (played by Hina Khan). The actor chats up in between the shots on his long journey.

Mature talk

It’s my seventh year of playing Naitik, the role came easy for me and I could carry it for this long for I modelled him after my real self to begin with. On the other hand, like the character I portray, I have matured over the years. I am no more reckless in reel or real as when I started but I look at life now in a more balanced way.

Long lasting

I share equal credit with my co-star Hina. There are long running shows, but among the current ones, if Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has kept the audience hooked, it’s because of the Naitik and Akshara jodi. I appreciate Hina for her professionalism. The moment we are on the sets and told the scene, we take it from there. Working long hours for this long is possible only if there is cordial atmosphere on sets and I credit the entire team of Yeh Rishta… for maintaining that.

Comfort zone

I am comfortable with the two major leaps that our soap has taken and playing dad to a teenager on screen. I like the way our looks have been kept, we look like young parents, had they added grey in our hair that might not have clicked. Showing us settled abroad where people take their health and looks seriously and since I play a restaurateur, it couldn’t have been otherwise.

Foreign flavour

It’s remarkable that the show has been shot in foreign locations twice. It’s not just as fun as it comes on screen, but challenging as people are stickler for rules and one must finish work in the stipulated hours. The Bangkok shoot was busy with some 96 shots to be taken in about five days. This time around in Cape Town, South Africa, we were relaxed, five six scenes a day, we enjoyed the pace.

Family time

I do events and ads as and when I can take out time. Apart from that with Yeh Rishta… on, I cannot do much. And, no, I am not a soap fan. Post work I go home and spend time with my lovely wife. I am committed to playing Naitik till I can…

mona@tribunemail.com