Vipul Gupta aka Anand Appreciation Thread #1|Handsome Angry Young Man - Page 21

The very handsome Vipul Gupta who has not been active on the scene post the success of India Calling is back as Anand on Star Plus' Meri Bhabhi. We chat him up...

Q. Why the disappearing act from the scene post India Calling?

a. I haven't been completely away. In fact I have worked almost constantly. I did some TVC and also a few roles in the movies. I did shows like K Street Pali Hill for Star and Four for Sab. I had some meaty roles to play in films like Yeh Saali ZIndagi and Fox.

Q. Your character in India Calling was immensely popular then why the need to do films?

a. I think it's a natural transition most of us look to make. It was a conscious decision I made back in the day to try my hand at films. I had to give it a shot. I realize that my career in Bollywood did not pan out as I would have liked it to but having said that, I don't regret giving it my best shot. That's what's most important, I feel.

Q. But you didn't want to pursue TV further?

a. I didn't say that at all! TV gave me instant popularity, fame and money and I'd always be grateful for that. TV's reach today is also immense so one cannot complain. But all actors want to make it big in Bollywood sometimes somewhere at the back of their minds, I'm just glad I did my bit. I worked with some biggies in the ad industry, that's when I thought of trying my luck out in films. But I'm back here now.

Q. Is it more difficult or easy being in a TV daily- Meri Bhabhi?

a. Oh it's mad! We are constantly shooting. The plot has just strated to pick up so we are all eager for the audience's reactions. We are very positive. The show looks promising. The rains are a pain but it's all worth it as the entire team is so dedicated in making the final product.

Q. Any changes you observe in your second innings' on TV, so to speak?

a. Haha.. Areyy.. I have been around only. In terms of change, yes it's much more organized. Also, makers and audiences are both receptive to new formats, ideas, concepts. It's not the same old formulae based ways to storytelling anymore. So that's really encouraging for us actors.

Q. Have you seen a change in perception about TV actors in film lately? You know, with someone like Sushant Singh for instance doing so well.

a. Definitely! Earlier we were looked down upon in the sense ki hum toh ghar baithe dikh jaate hain.. Why will people pay to watch us. But now script is king! You don't neeed a big name for a good film to work. That's a fresh change.

Q. You got married last year. How is that going?

a. All good. Megha isn't from the industry. I think it must be tough for her being married to an actor but she's come around that fact and she gets that it's all make belief on screen. We are very happy together.

Q. Future plans?

a. I think I know from experience now that as an actor, no matter how much I plan, I just need to go with the flow. Currently, I'm doing what I love the most that is being in front of the camera and connecting with my audience. Eventually, we'll see how things go from here.