Exclusive- TellyBlazer - Harsh Rajput on facing rejections: Once I was signed for a show and was even made to wait for 3 months but got replaced

Good-looking actor Harsh Rajput, who shot to fame with the supernatural saga Nazar, is currently one of the popular faces of Indian television. The actor is making a comeback on television after lockdown with Ekta Kapoor's Kuch Toh Hai, a spin-off of popular Naagin franchise.
Harsh, who has been in the entertainment industry for over 15 years now, shares how it took him 15-16 years to bag Ekta Kapoor's show as lead and a lot of hard work and dedication has gone behind reaching here.The actor has done close to 90-92 ad commercials, faced several rejections and has finally managed to make it. Recently, Harsh spoke to ETimes TV for our special segment Tellyblazer and talked about his journey in the television industry, his struggles and doing bold scenes.
How has been your journey in the television industry and in the city of dreams, Mumbai?
It has been almost 15-16 years now and I wouldn't say it was very tough, but a difficult journey. The journey has shown me many ups and downs. It has shown me success and failures both. My journey has been a rollercoaster ride till now. You would understand that if after a hard work of 15-16 years, I am able to bag a Ekta Kapoor show as lead then I might have struggled a lot. A lot of hard work and dedication has gone behind reaching here. I always had belief in myself and passion regarding my craft and I always believe that if someone works with full dedication and passion, they can bag their goals. Nobody can stop them from achieving their dreams. I believe in God and always feel he has written something big for me. And I have to just keep working hard and stay focused. I am blessed and grateful for where I have reached right now and the journey is still on. I have to still go ahead in life and achieve more milestones. I also believe that your family and friends play an important part and because of their support I have come so far. All the credit goes to them for making me feel confident and that I have that in me.
How did you bag your first project?
I got my first break because of my dance class when I was in college. I used to go to Habiba Rehman's dance class, she was my guru. Her husband Gajendra Chauhan spotted me and sent me for an audition Gayatri Mahima on Doordarshan and that's how I got my first break.
Do you consider Nazar to be a turning point in your career?
Nazar was an amazing experience. I like action and fantasy-based shows on a personal level and when you love a specific genre and you get a chance to work on it, the happiness of working on that genre doubles up. At the same time the character was very strong, I got a chance to play a negative shade, double role, so I was able to play different shades in one single character. Nazar was a thrilling experience, it has given me a stage where I could wear my opinions, my thoughts and now when I talk to people they listen to me. It has made a lot of difference in my life. Nazar was a game-changer for me, but I feel 'Kuch Toh Hai' will be a bigger stepping stone for me because now I am associated with Indian television show's biggest franchise Naagin.

Even after being a shy kid, how did you manage to become an actor? Were you always inclined towards acting?
I was always inclined towards acting but I was a shy kid. I would stay quiet. In fact, even today if you will see me at any party, you will find me sitting in a corner. It was the same with me during childhood days. Even then I would be very quiet in the classroom, in a corner. It has been my nature, I don't like to be a part of drama or loud things. I just work hard and leave for home. I just love to be on camera. The moment I see the camera, I get very confident, the moment my director says cut, you would again find me in a corner. I will only talk if there is an interesting conversation.
How has been your journey towards becoming an actor? Did you face your share of rejections?
Yes, a lot of times I have been rejected. Initially, for example if I had given 100 auditions I would have been rejected 98 times. But what kept me going was the 2 percent of acceptance. I feel sometimes you have to be confident for even that 2 percent to change things for yourself. I feel you have to be patient and believe in yourself. The amount of rejections I've seen, I feel the ratio of acceptance in my career has been less. I've seen a time when I would go for auditions and 90 percent of the time I would be rejected. I don't feel anyone's is at fault because it is not possible for you to be at the right place, right time everytime. It is not possible that your body type, personality or characteristics will fit the requirements in the auditions everytime. I have done around 92 ads in my career but for bagging those 92 ads I have given some 5000 auditions.
Were you ever replaced overnight? How did you deal with rejections?
Yes, there have been multiple times when I have been rejected even after being signed for the show. I would not like to take the channel or production house's name, once I was signed for a show and they made me sit at home for three months and then I was informed that I was not part of the show and that I was replaced. There have been so many instances when I am shooting on the show and after giving my shot or reading my lines I've realised that my character has come to an end but I was not informed about it. All this happens in this industry and it is a part of it. I definitely feel bad, but I have never dragged those failures with me for a long time. I feel bad for two three days but I don't drag it as I have to get back on my feet again. I am again back on my feet with the same enthusiasm, passion and dedication. You have to believe in yourself and be strong always.

Do you feel the pressure of being highly active on social media do bag projects and how do you look at this process of actors getting projects because of their social media followers?
I feel it is very unfortunate that not your talent but your social media following decides what project you will get. I have no issues with people who have crazy following on social media, nothing against them but somewhere I feel that one should get work because of their acting and craft. I think talent should be the priority first and then social media following should be considered. I am not that active on social media, but I try to be up because it has become an important medium to communicate with fans. I am just trying to keep up with it.
I always keep it in mind that I have to be careful of what I post on my social media pages. It is the first thing I pay attention to while using social media. I just don't post anything that can hurt anyone's sentiments or which can inspire anyone in a wrong way. I always believe in using it responsibly.
How do you deal with trolling on social media?
I never care about trolls or haters. It never bothers me and I don't pay attention to them. In fact, there are times when I laugh over trolls or memes if I come across. I appreciate them and have a hearty laugh.
Do you aspire to become a Bollywood actor someday?
I have always said that I don't care about the medium. I never think that I will only do films and not work on television or I want to do only. I never look at it that way. I am open to work in every medium, I just want to be part of good stories. I want to be a part of work which satisfies me as an artist and excites me to work. I don't mind if it is in theatre, TV, films or OTT.

Since, for you medium is not important, how comfortable are you doing bold scenes if offered on OTT?
I would not like to be a part of any project on OTT if it is only about bold content and there is no story. Sometimes shows are made on OTT just with bold scenes and not story, that is not how it works. It is a wrong practice. But if a story demands that there should be a bold scene because it is important then I don't have any qualms doing it.
Who are the actors and superstars who inspired you to become an actor?
I am inspired by all the superstars which we have today. Be it Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, they all have inspired me some or the other way. I like Hrithik Roshan's dedication, I like how Shah Rukh Khan has made his mark in the industry without any Godfather. He had no connection.
The entire last year we heard about nepotism. What is your take on this insider vs outside and nepotism debate?
I feel nepotism comes with basic human nature. A person will always think of helping his/her own people first than others. It is a very debatable issue. But I feel talent will always win over any nepotism. I don't think anyone can stop a talented person coming ahead in life. No matter how much one tries when the question is about survival and a long lasting career, a person with talent will only go ahead in life. Nepotism is everywhere and everyone first wants to help his own people.