Actor Ankur Bharddwaj is currently winning attention for his role as Nakul Maheshwari, the parallel lead in the popular show Mann Sundar. Unlike many of his previous roles, Ankur says Nakul gave him the opportunity to explore a completely different side of his acting.
Talking about his character, Ankur says, “Nakul is very chulbula and dramatic, and I have never done such a role before. He is the ladla of the house. I loved the character, so I decided to take it up.”
One of the most special aspects of the show for Ankur is the bond between Nakul and his brother Nihal. He says, “Nihal and Nakul’s brother chemistry is very lovely. They both love each other, and Nihal always makes sure to save his brother. Their relationship is very beautiful, and I really enjoy portraying that bond.”
Being part of an established show also comes with its own pressure, especially when the audience already has expectations from the characters. Ankur admits, “Pressure is definitely there because it is an established show. We need to maintain the authenticity of the character and make the audiences feel connected to what we are doing.”
Working on a daily soap also requires actors to adapt to a fast-paced schedule. Ankur says he is comfortable with memorising dialogues quickly. “When we do a daily soap, we are time-bound. Some people can remember scripts very fast, and it is the same with me. If I get my dialogues, I memorise them quickly,” he shares.
Interestingly, Ankur also finds certain similarities between himself and Nakul. “Nakul and I are sometimes the same because I am also kind of lazy. I also do not like doing any housework, so I can relate to him,” he reveals.
The actor also acknowledges that comments from viewers can have an impact on actors, whether they are positive or negative. “Comments definitely affect actors, whether they are positive or negative. We should be open to appreciation and criticism, but we should also learn to let go of things that do not relate to us,” he says.
For Ankur, the biggest sign that the day is finally over comes when the director says those familiar words, pack up. “When the director finally says pack up, then I do not need to worry anymore. I can switch on or switch off because Ankur is Nakul while I am on set,” he adds.
