'Viewers will see a more determined Vaibhav' - Siddharth Arora

Siddharth Arora stepped into television as the bold and tough Vaibhav Virani in COLORS' recently launched show Mukti Bandhan.

In an exclusive interview with Telly Buzz, Siddharth speaks about his experience being in the show and how the show is well received by the audience in spite of having a low rating.

Have a read!!!

How has the journey been so far in Mukti Bandhan?
The journey has been fantastic till date. I know it might sound cliched but it's true that the format and the story is different while compared to the other daily soaps. The show has a contemporary story, the story of today, where the protagonist is a male.

Tell us something about your background?
I am basically from Varanasi and have completed my MBA. Before I entered the industry I was with ICICI Bank for two years along with which I was doing theatre also. After working for two years, I thought I should do something that I like and hence decided to get into acting after I realized that finance was not my cup of tea. And now since I have a good degree and an experience of two years, I can always get back to my family business.

How did you prepare yourself for the role?
Since I was into finance and I knew what a corporate life is, I did not have a great difficulty in understanding the role. I have also done a little study on the character.

How do you relate yourself with the role of Vaibhav Virani?
Actually there are certain coincidences in the show that relates to me. Vaibhav is a complete corporate guy and a father's boy, who I really am in real life too.  In the show my younger brother got married first while I was doing my MBA and in real again, my younger brother is  married, as I was busy doing my MBA. Hence I could fully relate myself to the role, but at the same time there are differences also. Vaibhav is a complete corporate guy whose life is business whereas Siddharth values more on relations than the money and business.

How would you describe Vaibhav in one sentence?
He is completely a determined person who knows to keep the perfect balance between mind and heart.

How is it working with Colors and Shobhna Desai Productions?
It has been lovely working with both Colors and Shobhana Desai Productions. I feel myself lucky to be a part of a show in Colors in the Prime time slot and with a production house like this. They invest a lot, not only in terms of money, but also in the effort of work that each of them puts into the show. I used to watch their show Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka as a kid and now it's like a dream come true for me.

How is your rapport with your co-stars?
I have a good rapport with all my co-stars and we all have a great time on the sets. Since Raj Singh shares my name onscreen, there is always confusion on the sets and its great fun being around with such people.  

Vaibhav has for the first time decided to think from his heart? How do you see the character progress now?
Vaibhav for the first time has not obeyed to the first words of his father of marrying Devki. Instead he has asked time to think about it. Even his dad is shocked with the response as this is the first time he has done something like that. Till date he has been saying yes for all his dad's words and from now on people will get to see more of Vaibhav taking his own stand.  

The general fan reaction is that they want to see Vaibhav's love story with Devki (Esha Kansara). What do you want to say about it?
I understand their feelings very well and thank you for your love because I have seen that on India-Forums with the name 'Vaki'. But I would like to say that anything can happen in the show and I can say yes and no to the proposal. I hope you people will like the progression of the show.  

How is it working with Shiv Subramaniam? Does he help you youngsters when it comes to acting?
Shiv sir is an awesome actor and a brilliant writer as well who has written for a lot of movies. Even though he looks tough in the show, he is a fun guy off screen and cracks hilarious jokes off shoot. He always helps during the shoot and whenever we approach him for help.   

Who is your idol business tycoon?
Mukesh Ambani is my idol as a business tycoon as he is totally a man born for that with no flamboyant behavior and is completely focused.

The show till now has got a lot of critical acclaim. But the much needed ratings have not come. What do you have to say on this?
Since the show is contemporary and does not deal with a rural background like other shows in Colors, it will take some time for the concept to sink into the minds of people. We have been getting good response from people and the ratings are not that bad. People have given a good response and have said that the show progresses with each episode unlike other daily soaps. I am sure that the show will definitely pick in the coming days.  

Does this demoralize you as an actor, or is the team confident of making it better in ratings?
The ratings do not demoralize me as an actor, instead it pumps us up to do even better in the next scene we shoot. The team is really putting their best to make the show great.

Are you single in real life?
I am absolutely single.

Sabina(Nazneen Patel) or Devki – Who do you think Vaibhav would choose?
As I said earlier, anything can happen and since the fans have also created an account called as Sabhav (Sabina and Vaibhav) in India-Forums, people can expect anything to happen.  

If Siddharth is given a choice, who is the girl he would choose for Vaibhav?
Even I don't know what would I choose, and I will leave it for time to decide.

What are the challenges doing such a role?
Whenever the show is new and everything is new, there will be an unfamiliarity factor in the beginning. But once you get to know the people and get used to the sets, then the zone is completely comfortable. Even though I am from theatre, there are certain technicalities that we have to take care of when we face the camera. And also on camera, even minute stuffs get noticed unlike theater where people find it tough to note every single movement on stage.

What are the memorable moment from the show?
There are a lot of memorable moments from the show which were really emotional. There was a scene where my father shouts at Praveen Kaka and he cries, after which I had to go and console him because it is because of me, he is there in the house. That scene was really emotional where I had to go and console him. Similarly there was another scene where my mother sits with me and tells me that I am the link between my father and my family and I should tell him that dadi and dada and the others should not be allowed to leave home.

Who do you get along very well on the sets?
I get along well with almost everyone on the sets and I am more close to Raj, Nilesh and Shiv Sir.

What can viewers expect in the coming episodes of Mukti Bandhan?
Viewers will get to see a more determined and decision making Vaibhav along with several twists and turns in the show. Viewers should definitely see today's and tomorrow's episodes as there are interesting twists to happen.  

How has your interaction with fans been till now?
It has been great and I have been receiving several friends request in Facebook every day.  

Your message to your fans on India-Forums
Please keep watching the show as you will see Vaibhav taking decisions more with heart and lots of love. I am an ardent viewer of India-Forums and keep checking the comments and suggestions you guys post.

Reporter and Author: Saranya Valsarajan