Durban - While he's only loved Durban from afar when watching cricket played at the Kingsmead cricket stadium on TV, for the first time Indian soapie star Dheeraj Dhoopar will visit Durban. He’s hoping to explore the city while here, but his main aim will be to entertain the crowds with a stellar lineup at the Zee Stars concert at the Greyville Convention centre on Friday night.
The Independent on Saturday catches up with this rising name in the Indian entertainment scene:
Please tell us about your entry into the acting?
I was always very keen on becoming a model and I started off my career in Bangalore as a model. I did quite a few projects in print modelling. While I was actively working as a model I got a call for an audition in Mumbai for a very big show. That is how acting happened to me. Since then there has been no looking back. I was always inspired by various models and acting was never on top of my mind, but two actors who really follow are Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar. I really loved going to the movies which in turn inspired me to play a romantic hero someday in my life, and I am presently doing that with my character in “Kundali Bhagya”.
Tell us about the most memorable roles you've played in Indian TV series, and what is the role you presently play on screen? Are there any similarities between your personality and that of the present character you play?
Out of all the roles that I have played in my life, my most memorable character that I have played is the character that I am currently playing "Karan Luthra" from hit TV show Kundali Bhagya. It is memorable in a lot of ways. Firstly it is has been my dream to play a hero in an Ekta Kapoor show, secondly it is something very different from what I am in my personal life. These few factors make it very special for me. I play Karan Luthra who is a star cricketer and someone who has a huge fans base, mainly girls. He is a very stylish person.
Indian soapie star Dheeraj Dhoopar
How easy was it to break into the Indian entertainment scene? What advice would you give to aspiring actors, or models?
I wouldn't say it was easy, but for me I never had to struggle to get my first show. I got a call for an audition and as luck would have it, I got selected in my first audition. The challenge is to keep working and keep improving your art. And most importantly to keep getting work. I would advise all aspiring actors and models to firstly be prepared to work hard. Getting a good role is tough but working for a film or for TV show continuously without breaks is tough. I feel one should make up his/her mind if this is their passion or hobby, and take it from there.
Please tell us about your modelling career?
I started off as a model and I loved it to the core. I was an encyclopedia on modelling. I knew every model and the minutest of their details. Ramp modelling was something that excited me but I soon realized that I am tall enough for ramp and thus focus shifted to print modelling. I also have been a part of a lot of TV commercials.
How you went about making a name for yourself in the style and fashion industry? What would you say is the trends coming up for the rest of the year?
I studied fashion designing and styling as a part of my educational qualification. I always had a keen eye towards style, fashion and latest trends but my course gave me the technical know-how I needed. I style myself for a lot of my shows and events. I also style a lot of my friends from the industry for their shows and events. My social media handles are flooded with mainly fashion focused posts and I this is how I have made my name for myself in style and fashion industry. With trends, we are slowly moving away from fast fashion. I feel with people becoming more exposed to various fashion trends due to social media, we might see a lot of colours being experimented with. We might see more options in jackets this year and also a lot of more colour options in suits and blazers.
Please describe a typical day in Dheeraj's diary schedule?
Currently I have been going through a very tight schedule because if my shooting. I get up early morning and start getting ready to go for my shoot. I have my breakfast and leave for my shoot at around 9am. My day begins at around 10 am. On a busy day I pack up at 10pm and on a easy day may be a little earlier. I relax for a bit and then I hit the gym to keep my fitness levels at the peak. If I pack up early I make it a point to spend some time with my family and friends.
Have you been to Durban before? What have you heard about it? Will you have an opportunity to tour much, and what would you like to explore?
I have not been to South Africa before, and I am really excited to be here. I have heard a lot about Durban and mainly from the cricket matches that I follow. I love Kingsmead at Durban. In fact all the cricket stadiums in South Africa are beautiful. I am not too sure if I would get the opportunity to explore a lot as I’ll be on a very tight schedule. But I will definitely try and explore. I’ve heard the country is absolutely beautiful.