The popular industry belief is that a big launch with a theatrical release is the first step to stardom. Things are a bit different for Rohit Saraf though—he is already a popular face on OTT, thanks to his web series Mismatched, and is the darling of the YA demographic. Now, he is set to be presented as a mainstream hero with Ishq Vishk Rebound. The actor considers it a launch of sorts.

“It’s a big deal for me that I get to lead a film. A huge responsibility comes with headlining a movie of this nature. You have to deliver in every scene, in every promotional shot, every single day. On some days, I was physically and emotionally spent, and still knew that I had to show up,” he says.

The college caper—also starring Pashmina Roshan, Jibraan Khan and Naila Grrewal—takes forward the franchise that was launched with Shahid Kapoor’s Ishq Vishk (2003). Being part of the franchise is a dream come true for Saraf, who watched the original while growing up. But it also brings comparisons with Kapoor, who had debuted with Ken Ghosh’s directorial venture 21 years ago.

“I can’t operate from the place that I could have Shahid’s destiny. It was his first acting gig; I have done Mismatched. So, I treat it as another project. These are two different films releasing 21 years apart. People ask me if I am daunted; I’m not. Shahid and my paths are different. It would be silly to take the pressure of imitating Shahid’s career. He is someone I look up to as a dancer and actor. But I won’t be able to imitate his choices because that won’t be me.”

The original Ishq Vishk may be critiqued today for its gender politics. As the team shot the latest edition, Saraf—who is seen as something of a green flag because of his past work— says he was mindful about the story since the idea of a romantic hero has changed dramatically.

“Here, I didn’t agree with some of my character’s actions. But I have to surrender to the director’s vision. I cannot be Rohit; it’s the character Raghav’s actions. I was mindful of how it played out. As my director explained, I tweaked my approach.”