Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; May 1, 2021)

Having entered showbiz with Pardes in 1997, Apurva Agnihotri made his foray into the television industry with Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin in 2003. Last seen in the show Bepannaah in 2018, the actor is now back on TV as Dr Advait Khanna in the show, Anupamaa.

“Everybody wants to get prominent and lead roles in shows. It is only with my mother’s blessings that I have managed to sustain for so long in the television industry, doing good work,” he says, adding, “However, my first instinct whenever I am offered offered a show, is to say no. I don’t know why but I prefer my alone time, without any limelight or social media. And the reason one doesn’t see me acting much is also because I also have other areas of interest. I am on the verge of finishing a script. My father was a script writer, so somewhere that is in my blood. I am inching towards my dream of writing a script and then directing it. Apart from all this, I am heavily into motor-biking. I love to travel the world on my bike. I want to go to Leh and Ladakh soon. Acting karni padti hai for bread and butter, but I have my other interests too.”

Telling us more about the process of script writing, Apurva adds, “I am enjoying the whole concept of creating characters in my scripts. As you write, then they start talking to you. The whole process is really amazing! I know it sounds crazy, but now, it is actually happening to me. I speak to my characters. And yes, I won’t be acting in my project nor will my wife Shilpa (Saklani). You have to be massively talented to be directing, writing and acting in a project at the same time. I won’t be doing that.”

Talking about being a part of Anupamaa, Apurva says, “With Rajan Shahi being the producer of the show, it felt like home ground. So, when he narrated the character to me over the phone, I immediately said yes, as I have known him for several years. I play a doctor in the show. This character will bring changes in the lives of Shah parivaar and Anupama,” he shares.

So, doesn’t he miss being a part of films? “Sabke liye Bollywood is the ultimate goal, but if you see TV as a medium has given me much more than Bollywood. Also, when I entered Bollywood in the 90s, people didn’t want to see a new face. There were Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and other such names, which they wanted to see. So, it was very difficult for a newcomer to get a break in films. Pardes is a special film. The way Subhash Ghai presented me no one could have. But it is unfair to compare the two mediums, as television happened because of films.”

Apurva’s social media posts often feature his wife Shilpa. Speaking about her, he says, “People say opposites attract, but that’s not the case with us. We are so similar, we don’t need anyone else. We are complete with each other.”