Darshan Kumaar, who is enjoying the popularity he has gained in recent times, feels grateful for all the love he is getting from the audience. “It feels surreal actually. It’s taken a long, long time for me to come here but I don’t want to take all of this for granted. It feels good now when people recognize me and acknowledge me. I have some wonderful projects in my repertoire, I have been fortunate to have worked with some of the best people in the industry in TV and in films and now web too. For instance, now I’m working with Satish sir, Anupam sir and Neena Gupta ji again in Kaagaz 2. I have learnt so much from them,” he says.

Remembering that period of struggle when he would subside on glucose biscuits and travel on foot across Mumbai for auditions, only to be rejected, Darshan says, “I would wear slippers and carry my shoes in a packet so that they wouldn’t get dirty, and would change into them for auditions. There have been so many times when I’ve had the doors shut on my face when I’ve gone to ask for work. And now, people are sending me scripts at my home.”

But he says there were people along the way who helped him and gave him advice which he follows till date. He shares, “Working with Neena Gupta ji, Naseer sir in theatre and the likes of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Manoj Pahwa, Satish Kaushik, Prakash Jha sir has been a very enriching experience for me. I remember I was so nervous when I had to face the media for the first time during the promotion of Mary Kom. I was just in my jeans and T-shirt and was so nervous when all the cameras started popping in my face. I would close my eyes each time the flash would go on. Then Priyanka (Chopra Jonas) told me, just be your honest self because nothing is hidden from the camera. Be honest and be confident. And that’s what I did.”

Doing theatre and ads helped Darshan, also seen as the antagonist in Anushka Sharma’s NH10 and a lawyer in Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Sarbjit, carry on with his dreams. “When I started my career there were very few options for actors. I was mainly focusing on my theatre shows at that time. Once during my morning walk I met Dimpy, a casting director, who used to reside in the same society. She asked me to visit her office and audition for a TV series. It was my first audition and that’s how I got selected for my first serial Chhoti Bahu,” he says. Later, Darshan went on to do shows like Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo and Devon Ke Dev. . . Mahadev.

Talking about television these days, Darshan says, “I understand that our TV industry works on TRPs and so the content providers are also focussing on the tracks which are mostly loved by our audiences.” 

And although Darshan is busy with film projects, he says he would love to be on a TV show again. “I would love to host a reality show. TV is the best medium to connect with people as you become a part of their everyday life and in turn are showered with immense love.”

Ask him why these days there are few experienced actors from theatre making a foray on TV and Darshan says, “Now thanks to the OTT platform it has opened a new horizon for actors as well as producers, directors and technicians. So now along with good content there is a demand for good actors in our industry. I believe this has helped many theatre actors as well as method actors to perform their dream roles in TV serials as well as in OTT and other various platforms. On the other hand now all newcomers are getting a good opportunity to perform in serials where they are earning as well as learning their craft everyday so it’s a win-win situations for everyone.”