Starting his career with the serial “Just Mohabbat”, Karanvir chose to portray the character of Prem in Ekta Kapoor’s “Kasautii Zindagii Kay” which was appreciated by critics and audience alike. He has acted in in several movies and serials since. In “Dil Se Di Dua” he essayed the role of Viraj Dobriyal, earning him the Best Anti-Hero Award at the Indian Tele Awards. Karanvir is now participating in “Fear Factor: Khatron ke Khiladi” (KKK) Season Five with his wife as a wild card entrant . Here he talks about his KKK experience, his serials and his production business.
What made you to say yes to “Khatron Ke Khiladi” -- adventure. Is it true that you were injured during the show? What was memorable about KKK?
Adventure and the want to overcome fears excite me. I am very disciplined in my life, and the right food and fitness is a way of life. Besides I am into Art of Living meditation and that helps. “Khatron Ke Khiladi” was one opportunity to test my endurance levels. The adventure and difficult circumstances only added to the fun. At one point, I got a very bad rope burn; yes, it was really serious. I had a septic and swollen foot. I carried on, never mind the pain. During the series I made some great friends for life. Rohit Shetty was an inspiration, every second. And yes, we lost quite a bit of weight!
Starting with “Just Mohabbat”, you have portrayed various characters of almost all shades. So how do you approach a role? It seems you do not want to be tied with one image.
The only way to succeed in life is by reinventing yourself. I’ve always tried to break the stereotype, and make the characters more believable. When I get an offer, I see the intensity of the role, its relevance to the main story and the shades one gets to essay. The character may be stereo-typical, but the look, the style and manner of portrayal makes the difference, more so on television.
You bagged the Best Anti-Hero Award for “Dil Se Di Dua”. Wasn’t this role opposite of earlier image on television?
The roles on television are versatile. There is no hero, no anti-hero. Each character has varied shades. The roles on TV have their own highs and unlike films, you cannot classify something on TV as hero or anti-hero. When I am appreciated, it means my image is accepted and the award is proof of that. The award felt good, for it was for my performance. As an artiste, appreciation is always motivating.
How did the idea of movie production come to you and that too in Punjabi? Any plans to produce a film in Bollywood?
“Love Yoou Soniye” was the first home production. It was a very fresh, urban and a young at heart movie, and we felt that the story was just perfect for the Punjabi audiences. I played a very funny romantic chocolate boy role. People have seen Teejay as a VJ/RJ or doing theatre but for the first time, they saw her on the big screen too doing something different. Our friends, Raghuram (Roadies fame), Vindoo Dara Singh, Upasana Singh and many others were with us in this endeavour. The music was by Ishq Bector, Shree Dayal and Harry Anand. The film went on to be a grosser, egging us on to do more. Though the language was Punjabi, we treated it like just another Hindi film with the same production values, the grandeur. The film made waves and set the box office ringing. Our success goaded us to go in for Hindi, but we are taking one step at a time. On the anvil is a Marathi film. I am already learning Marathi for the same. Hindi films will follow thereafter.
Other than KKK, where can we see Karanvir Bohra in future?
I am looking at hosting on television, besides good roles. The screen awards hosting was great fun. Also acting in movies.
