Actor Krish Pathak, who is currently seen in the television show, 'Yeh Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar' is excited about being back on the sets. The young actor is being showered with praises from his fans, friends, and family. Krish was last seen on the television screen in 2016 but a series of unfortunate events kept delaying his next project. Son of Ramayan's Laxman aka Sunil Lahri, Krish admits that he's a self-made actor and it was the rejections that made him stronger and ready to conquer. To know him closely, read his exclusive interview with ETimes TV for our TellyBlazer segment where he bared his heart out.
You are the younger-most actor on the set. So, how is the atmosphere on the set being surrounded by experienced actors?
The atmosphere is very light on the set and even the director, he's very helpful. I told him, 'You just guide me in whatever way you want.' The crew is very good, we also have inside jokes with them, it's too much fun. We've all become pals. The cast is very supportive. Manasi (Joshi Roy) and Neelu (Kohli) ma'am are very senior but we are like friends, we chill together. Manasi ma'am always gets food for me. Everyone gets one-one dish. So, it's a potluck every day. I, Ankit (Siwach), and Ashish sir play cricket also during our breaks. Nowadays we have to be very active on social media. I had also posted the whole BTS of how we shot it. This is one of the sets which has given me a very positive vibe.
What advice did your parents lend you as you commenced your acting journey?
My father has always advised me to prove myself better with each passing day. He gives me a lot of advice about a lot of things and how showbiz works. The best advice that I have received from my mother for life was, 'Do whatever you want but enjoy it. Earn less but enjoy more because that joy is your real earning.'
Did you always want to become an actor?
I never wanted to be an actor but that 'keeda' was always in me. I was in a military school and I wanted to join the Armed forces. I wanted to become a Squadron Leader in the Air Force but due to some things, I couldn't pursue it. Then I also wanted to become an IPS Officer. I gave the exams too but I had a lot of change of mind. In the end, I decided to take up acting because that's there in my blood and then I can get to play every character from every profession. I've always wanted to learn everything about every profession or anything that I come across, I'm curious to learn the background story.
Were your parents supportive of your decision?
My mom has always been supportive. If I wanted to do acting or anything and if things didn't work out, she would say, 'it's okay, you are made for bigger things.' My dad never knew that I want to be an actor. It was after my show 'POW Bandi Yuddh Ke' came on air that he realised my dream. I never said anything to anyone about my father being an actor because I wanted to do everything on my own.
Fear of being overshadowed by his father's fame
I never take myself as a star kid. I have had a lot of struggles and rejections but I never took those rejections seriously. I don't portray myself as someone that I will get anything because of my father because that was his time, he did it his way. This is my time, I will do things as per my style and I haven't taken any pressure.
Rejections are a part of your acting career. Did you have to face it too?
When I started my journey, my first audition was for Nikhil Advani's P O W. I got that part, I did the show, and everything happened very quickly. It was after this show that my struggle started. I went for auditions but got rejected. I would think, 'What could be the issue, I'd got selected in my first audition itself.' I got a lot of rejections and then I understood that it is a part and parcel of life in this field. After a point, I would give the auditions and forget about it. Later, when I would get calls saying that I have been selected, I would wonder 'ye audition kab diya tha'
Your first show was in 2016, and the second one is in 2022, what caused the delay?
I wasn't getting good scripts and I had a very bad football injury also. Due to that injury, I gained a lot of weight and then lockdown happened. There wasn't any work and shoots were also off. Luckily, I had my trainer, he guided me well and helped me get back in shape. It was then that I gave an audition for 'Yeh Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar'.
Have there been instances where you've been replaced after being signed on?
I have been replaced many times because of the time that we are in, everyone wants someone who has a strong social media presence. It's a game of having the highest followers. I had given an audition and got selected but I was replaced because someone else had a stronger social media presence than me. I know that it isn't just me, there are many like me, who've gone through this phase. But, it's fine, just a part and parcel of life. There have been instances where I felt that I acted very well during the auditions but got rejected because of a lack of social media followers. I am my biggest critic and my biggest fan also. After giving a performance, I check and think to myself, 'I could have done this better by adding some nuances here and there' and that's how I make my own criticism.
Did the rejections make you change your outlook toward social media?
Definitely, I started posting a lot. Recently, I started making many reels. I have even hired people to make content because social media engagement is needed. Slowly but steadily, I am growing and getting a lot of collaborations. Whenever I go for my auditions now and they ask me for Instagram, I am like, 'theek hai, ab mai dunga' because now I have grown a little bit there.
With so many platforms available for actors, do you have any reservations against any medium?
No. I am open to everything as far as the script is great. Whenever I read something, it should instantly click. With this show, I instantly related to the character. It's a coincidence that even my character's name is Krish. I feel this script was made for me only (laughs).
From the industry, which actor do you look up to?
I look up to Ranveer Singh, he doesn't play a character, he lives it and his dedication to the role is a lot. He sinks in his whole teeth into it.
How were you during your school and college days and how are you now as a person?
My college days have been very wild. I've been an average student but I never failed. I was into sports, was into National Level team of Football, Hockey. We had represented Maharashtra. I am a very indoor person, I just love to have my meal and binge on something, be it, French cinema, Korean movie, just everything. And then, there is this one day in the month where I feel like, 'party karni hai.' I am not a social person but that one day, I go crazy. My friends keep calling me up every Saturday to meet but I have to say because of my hectic work schedule. But all said and done, I love my work.
