Television heartthrobs Barun Sobti and Ridhi Dogra have hit the purple patch on OTT with two back-to-back shows — Badtameez Dil on Amazon miniTV and Asur 2 on JioCinema. The Telegraph Online caught up with the popular actors on creating chemistry in Badtameez Dil, the fan adulation and their approach to work.
The Telegraph Online: Besides having romance, drama and music, Badtameez Dil touches upon millennials’ relationships. Was light-hearted content the reason for you to agree to do this show?
Barun Sobti: Yes, one of the major reasons apart from good writing.
Ridhi Dogra: Yes, absolutely. I knew I wanted to do lighter stuff and when I heard the story, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it. I have never done this genre before. I felt excited as an audience because I haven’t watched a good romcom in recent times. Badtameez Dil has so many layers and notions it tried to break while still being a romcom.
You both have remained stars on TV and people love you. 2023 is also looking great. How does it feel to be appreciated at this point in your career?
Barun Sobti: Actually, there are no words for people who have liked our work. I always believe that they like what we do, so the only thing we can do is give them more of that. Yes, 2023 is looking great. It’s extremely heartening to be appreciated right now because I have a lot of work coming out this year.
Ridhi Dogra: I feel extremely blessed for the love I get from the audience. I am one of those people who don’t feel any different for being labelled a TV actor. I am an artist. I belong to my craft. I am very proud of the number of years I worked for TV, since 2011. It was a learning ground as I could see the output and input daily. I went to the sets as a student every day. I feel happy to get this love when the biggest of films are tanking.
I am a product of the audience. They have kept me going. People have put faith in my craft. I don’t belong to any film circle. I don’t want to do typical networking. On days I don’t know what will come of me, the appreciation of the audience keeps me going. I thought of quitting twice, if not more. I feel there’s an audience who wants to see me, so I am hugely grateful.
Asur Season 2 and Badtameez Dil came back to back. Both shows are as different as chalk and cheese. Moreover, they presented the range you both are capable of. What do you feel?
Barun Sobti: In my case, that was my idea of acting — range and versatility. This year is my attempt in showcasing exactly the same.
Ridhi Dogra: It was like a litmus test. I am happy people are appreciating. My attempt is to add value besides just looking pretty and saying the lines. I will raise the bar for myself and take up more challenging work.
People love your easy chemistry in Badtameez Dil and it helps that you two are friends. What have you learnt from each other?
Barun Sobti: Being friends helps but to a certain extent. What really gets the ball rolling is the intent, security, ambition and work ethic.
Ridhi Dogra: We have a similar way of working on the sets. The respect we both have for teamwork and the written material is similar. We both do our homework and we don’t confuse people. I have seen that in him, and I believe in it. Our intentions are the same. We want harmony on the set. We have respect for each other. Barun is like family to me. I can trust him as my own person. We didn’t know we would be able to pull off so much chemistry. We could talk about everything and figure things out as a team.
Barun, you’ve always wanted to do work you believe in. How did such an idealistic approach go for you? Also, we can’t wait to watch you in Kohrra (coming up on Netflix).
Barun Sobti: You win some, you lose some. That’s life but times change. This is the year of wins. So, let’s not worry about the losses. Kohrra does look great.
Ridhi, you look beautiful and girls look up to you in so many ways. What is your approach at this point in your career?
Ridhi Dogra: (Smiles) I feel beauty is what beauty does. I believe how I look on camera should reflect the character and the character should reflect the beauty. As a protagonist in the TV shows that I have done, I have travelled extensively to promote the shows. I have gone to households, shops and so many places to meet people in person. Very early in my career, I understood the power that actors have to serve humanity. I have always felt that people who watch me get inspired, so I make sure that I play characters — be it any genre — that stand for something and have an opinion rather than just be a damsel in distress.
With quantity on OTT platforms, quality is getting compromised. As seasoned actors, what do you feel about the current situation?
Barun Sobti: It is getting compromised. What I think is that it is an opportunity for every actor with intellect to choose the right projects, instead of blindly going forward, so that the audience can start showing faith in their choices.
Ridhi Dogra: Yes, it had happened with TV also. I don’t know what actors can do about it. We are greedy for good work and I certainly am. I have always been very choosy. I don’t mind sitting at home. I believe in quality more than quantity. I am very proud of whatever work I have done so far. And I am grateful that I can make that choice. As an actor, I can only look out for myself and preserve my craft. I am here for the long run.
