Shashank Vyas: I have taken a break from TV because I have become too comfortable on that medium

Shashank Vyas, who has been missing from the TV screens for a long time, is awaiting the release of his debut Bollywood film. Shashank, who was last seen on ‘Roop- Mard Ka Naya Swaroop’, talks about his break from TV, why he does not take social media seriously, and what he really wants in his ideal life partner.

Shashank shares that people will have a good time watching the film. Ask him if he feels any pressure regarding the release of his film, he says, “Pressure sirf performance ka hota hai, baaki kya pressure lena? I have worked on TV for almost 10 years but I never took pressure of TRPs, about the business, or shows. Scene jab aata hai haath mein tab woh ache se ho, that is the only thing that I think about,” he says.

The actor became a household name with Jagya’s character on ‘Balika Vadhu’ and credits the show and TV for what he is today. But for Shashank, this is the time to explore new genres on web and films. “I find myself too comfortable on TV. I think if I stay in my comfort zone, then I am doing a mistake in my life. That means that I am not letting myself grow. ‘Balika Vadhu’ ke time mujhe show ke technicians bhi kehte thay ki ab toh aap film hi karoge, par maine uske baad bhi ek show kar liya, uske baad bhi ek show kiya. Then you start thinking about money, which is also important but phir uss mein insan faske reh jaata hai,” he says.

While his fans have been missing him on TV, the actor mentions that he got a lot of offers but for now, his focus is on films and web. Talking about the offers he got recently, Shashank says, “Maine zyada toh nahi kahunga par kam bhi nahi kahunga. Almost every channel or the production house called me up for shows. I recently had a discussion with my dad when the makers of one of my shows called me up and they offered me a show. But they understood that why I don’t want to do TV for now. Duniya mein paise kamane ke 50 tareeke hote hain toh maine acting ko choose kyun kiya? I chose this because this is my passion. I don’t know anything apart from this so I want to grow, make mistakes and learn. Jahan meri growth hi nahi ho rahi hai wahan par rook ke kya fayda.”

Talking about the content on TV currently, the actor points out, “I have three TV sets but humara TV on nahi hota. Whatever identity I have today is because of TV and that will be there always. ‘Balika Vadhu’ is a cult show and Jagya is a character that people will always remember. But again, if I am saying that I am a creative person, then I need to be creative. And creative people can’t be doing the same things from 9am-6pm. Creativity means experimenting. I am not criticizing, but my problem is a show like ‘Balika Vadhu’ was first show - jisse kehte hai na aate hi maine shudh desi ghee wali roti khayi. So, whatever I tried to do after that show or even now, I cannot understand them much. Aajkal mujhe, in fact, sab ladko ke chehre bhi TV pe ek jaise lagte hain, woh beard ka shape ho ya hairstyle! But I would like to say that everyone has their own priorities. Woh kar rahe hain, bahut achhi baat hai, main yeh nahi keh raha ki I have done so much. I am in the process. I am thinking, I am working towards it,” he says.

While many celebs take pride in celebrating the number of followers they have on social media, Shashank shares that he does not take it seriously. “Main bachpan mein video games khelta tha, ab social media khelta hoon. Ye illusion hai, I enjoy it but I don’t believe in it. This is a time pass for me,” he shares.

While the lockdown gave many celebs time to try out new things, it gave Shashank the opportunity to reconnect with an old habit - his writing. “I had written some poems when I was struggling. I used to stay at Santa Cruz and jab kaam nahi milta tha toh Juhu beach jaake akele likhta tha. But then I got work, toh woh diary bandh hi ho gayi. So during the lockdown, there was nothing to do. So I went back to my writing. Shayeri, poems, short films likhna shuru kar diya. I would want my writing to get mature, then I can think about publishing them. If you ask me who my best friend is, I will say main aur meri creativity ki bahut jamti hai. Yeh mera saath kabhi nahi chodhegi,” he tells us.

His personal life has never been a talking point and the actor clears the air by saying that there have been no talks or rumours because there has been nobody ‘special’ in his life. “Logon ko meri personal life ke baare mein tab pata chalega na jab kuchh hoga. Yeh bhi alag reason hai ki main news mein nahi aata. Koi hota toh airport par saath chale jaate, photos click ho jaati, par aisa kuch hai hi nahi. I believe in the institution of marriage. Partner hona important hai. I think my ideal partner should know the value of everything - money, relationships, family, work, dreams,” he says.