Vivek Dahiya opens up on his casting couch experience, serious struggles and Divyanka Tripathi being his lucky charm forever

Actor Vivek Dahiya, who ventured into the entertainment industry with a negative character in Veera, further went onto hit the right chord with audience as Raj in Qayamat Ki Raat. His roles as ACP Abhishek in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein and Rajbir in Kavach were equally applauded. The actor in a candid conversation with TimesofIndia.com, spoke about his struggles - from being an outsider to making it big in the TV world without a god father in the industry. He also spoke about his casting couch encounter and also how his wife and actress Divyanka Tripathi is his forever lucky charm. By-Rasika Deshpande. Photo- Instagram.

I never really dreamt of being an actor. Destiny played its part and I was left with no choice, you can say that. I used to do Modelling on and off as I wasn't happy with my corporate job in Chandigarh. A friend of mine suggested that I should take up acting and asked me to try auditioning. Further, I came to Mumbai with six months in hand and Rs 50,000 in my account. I had decided whenever and whatever exhausts first, I will be packing my bags and going back to pavilion. Photo- Instagram.

I literally managed to overcome a lot of issues in the beginning while auditioning, especially with scripts. Before landing my first job I must have auditioned around 300-400 times. I then got shortlisted and then was on board for a project. I was really happy and on cloud nine. I immediately called up my father who was skeptical because till then as I wasn't shortlisted anywhere. The amount was not major but bagging a project after so long in itself was a big thing for me. That was just the beginning. Photo- Instagram.

This prevails everywhere but then it's up to you. I just chose to ignore it all and move on with my principles. So when you enter the glam world, you are given a list of coordinators to meet. Then they call you in person and accordingly projects are pitched based on your personality. One of the coordinators called me to the office and told me that it would be difficult for me to sustain in the industry as I had no godfather and nepotism was at its peak. He told me that it would be difficult to survive. So, he initially suggested I should rather pay money to people to get myself a full-fledged role in a show. I have studied business and I know it works. I did not buy any of his words as I knew had it been true, a lot of people would have paid in lakhs and got themselves a lead role so easily. When I refused to oblige to the monetary way out, he suggested me of the next alternative that was the casting couch where I would have to please people in a certain way. I simply asked him if there were any other better way out rather than these shady things. He told me that "tumhare joote ghiss jayenge lekin tumhe kaam nahi milega. Kuch nahi hoga."

I told him, "mere paas bohot saare joote hai and ek nahi toh dusra pehen loonga" but I will go by the fair and right means and nothing shady. I was clear in my thoughts. I knew that any business won't be corrupt and that they had some other plans in mind which I could see it clearly see. By-Rasika Deshpande. Photo- Instagram.

I definitely consider Divyanka as my lucky charm. In fact, my father has said a lot of times that she is absolutely lucky for me. He had told me earlier that when you will have your lady by your side and she's there permanently to stay, the way universe will work for you suddenly, will be surprising. This thing stayed with me and I was waiting to see what happens. And I couldn't believe it when Kavach happened to me soon after marriage. I was like Yes, the lady luck thing is working. Divyanka is completely my lucky mascot. She has been with me through thick and thin. Photo- Instagram.

Karishma Tanna has been a fabulous co-star. She is genuinely true in her opinion. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with her in Qayamat Ki Raat. Mona Singh would also constantly tell me and suggest me if at all a scene wasn't right during Kavach. Your best judge is your co-star. If that person does not feel your dialogues and emotions standing right beside you, how will the audience feel? It is very important to help and work in a team anywhere. Karishma and Mona have been really helpful. Divyanka also in YHM, though I haven't shared much screen space with her but she too would help me out with certain scenes. No other actor in YHM would tell me about my scenes, but Divyanka would surely make it a point. Photo- Instagram.

I remember the first time I met Mona Singh. We had a romantic scene in the first shot itself, though it was a little cliched. I had followed Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi when I was not in the industry. I was awkward to be romancing the same actress I had followed years ago. I wasn't able to give my best shot initially and my director took me aside and boosted my morale. I told him my hesitancy and he understanding my situation, encouraged me. I took a deep breath and went ahead for the scene. Mona too, understood my hesitancy and made me so comfortable in the romantic scene. "By the end of the scene, I thanked Mona for letting me touch her in the scene," quipped Vivek. "Post that we became the best of friends. She is one of my favourite persons to work with." Photo- Instagram.

My fans have made me work harder. Their messages, their comments, compliments have made me better. It gives me a push to work better. I remember there was a time when I was traveling in an auto long ago, I think during Veera days. Suddenly at a traffic signal, a Kinnar (eunuch) put his palm in front of me and wanted an autograph. I was surprised and was somewhere really happy. He recognised me and we literally had a two-minute conversation about my role. That really touched me and that moment has stayed with me. It works as a good motivation. Photo- Instagram.

My family was skeptical about me choosing this field, as in small towns they are just aware of this business at the minimal level. Their exposure to the razzmatazz of this industry is very less. So, the bad nuances that occur here, they are affected by it. Bad incidents happen in every industry but in Entertainment business it's blown out of proportion and highlighted. We had no one from this line at all, and that made matters a little more difficult in terms of explaining it to my family. My father wanted me to be a lawyer as he is a lawyer or wanted me to at least take up some corporate job. But then destiny had its own plans. Photo- Instagram.

I had nothing to lose. I had no other option and I did not choose Veera, it chose me. I was initially told that I was going to play a positive character but later I got to know that it turned negative. I just went with the flow. Photo- Instagram.

I like wearing shirts and keeping it casual and not overdressed. I would wear a lot of shirts before getting married. But now my wife has forced me into wearing T-shirts. Photo- Instagram.

We love to spend time with family. Being an actor and based out of Mumbai, it becomes difficult to spend good family time, so we try and meet them whenever possible and give the quality time that they deserve. Photo- Instagram.