"There was a time I was TEASED that I should start dating Shah Rukh" - Ssharad Malhotra

Over-the-top reactions and exaggerated expressions truly describe Indian television and actor Ssharad Malhotra feels that these are mandatory to do well on the small screen. The who has been part of successful shows on TV such as Banoo Main Teri Dulhann and Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap and was last seen in Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki, says that acting on TV has to be loud for it to be impactful. "I think the acting in films is more realistic compared to television. A film basically is on a larger canvas and a little bit of overacting tends to be very large on the screen so that becomes a bit unreal. The acting is usually in a very subtle zone unless you are required to go overboard. On the other hand, television is in a compact zone, you need to be louder than usual. If I may say, television is mostly watched by women who are usually doing house chores while watching TV like handling a baby or maybe some other work. So, you have to be a little loud in terms of performance and packaging to get noticed. Short films, on the other hand, require you to be very natural. I have enjoyed all three platforms," he says.

The actor has enjoyed a successful career and is immensely popular. However, he is well aware that all this is temporary and can change in an instant. "Nothing lasts forever, what lasts is how good as a person you have been. If you have left something good behind that's what people talk about. Your performances, awards, and work are if no use if you are not nice to people. I have been in the industry for 13 years and I have learned that you have to meet everyone with a smile every day," he says.

His biggest motivation in the industry has been Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and Ssharad says that he looks up to him in every way. "The way he convinces you with every character he portrays onscreen. His energy is so infectious that every time I look at him, I keep looking at him. There was a time when my friends teased me saying that I should start dating Shah Rukh Khan. Unfortunately, I don't swing that way and I love women!" he says.

Ssharad has always maintained his chocolate boy image, however, he feels that now the audience expect more out of him. "I would love to have an image that sells and impresses my fans. I am working more and my workout timings are bizarre. I workout at night at 1:30 am. I keep posting stories which keep inspiring people and my fans are going crazy as they want me to go bare bodied on screen. I did that when I was doing Maharana Pratap but now they want to see a more matured man with a nice built. I am really working hard so very soon you may see me giving a nice topless shot," he says.

Ask him how he feels about performing bold scenes, and he says, "If the script requires it, then why not? I don't want to do it forcefully, but if the scene requires it and if the director, maker and the writer feels it is required, then I won't mind going full monty as well. But then having said that, it has to be shot in a very classy way and should not look cheap. It should be discussed properly, pre-planned and then you have to go with the flow."

After being part of the industry since so long, the actor says that it has changed drastically over the years. "It has become more competitive, advanced and professional. The pattern of work has changed from the time I started Dulhan... People's mindset has changed and so has the technique," he says.