Those who watched Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (RARKPK) couldn’t miss the striking resemblance of the actor who plays the younger version of Dharmendra to the veteran actor. The person in question is Harman Singha, actor-host Rannvijay Singha’s younger brother.

“The team was not sure they would find someone who looks so close to how Dharmendra ji did in his younger days. When I sent my pictures, they were sent to Dharmendra ji and he really liked them. He said, ‘Mujhe isse milna hai’,” he tells us, adding, “I hope someone makes his biopic and casts me (laughs).”

Interestingly, Harman says he was not aware of the fact that he’d play a young Dharmendra in the film, while giving his screen test. “I was briefed that I’ve to play a character that looks like someone from the yesteryear. So, I sent them my pictures in a blue blazer, with medals and hair pulled back. Within a day, Karan Johar’s team finalized me,” he recalls.

While Harman’s stint in RARKPK is getting all the attention, the actor reveals it was only two years ago that he decided to give acting his best shot. “I always thought Rannvijay is the on-camera talent, I’d be this cool writer-director guy and together, we will be a great combination! It was much later that I decided to turn to acting after several people [from the industry] told me I have potential,” he shares.

As he tries to cement his position in the industry, the 35-year-old shares how his elder brother is his biggest support. “Rannvijay has always told me to go all out with whatever I want to do. He gives me the confidence [to do so]. Now, I am desperate to do some great work with directors such as Hansal Mehta, Shoojit Sircar and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. I can be furniture on their sets! Successful hone ke liye thoda besharam hona padta hai,” the actor wraps up.

During the pandemic-induced lockdowns, streaming platforms doled out crime thrillers one after the other. Director Rajshree Ojha’s Potluck (2021), a light-hearted show about the Shastri family that sticks together despite their personal highs and lows, came as a breath of fresh air. Almost one-and-a-half years on, the director is back with the second instalment of the Sony LIV comedy series. In a chat with mid-day, Ojha talks about how the narrative of a tight-knit family lends itself wonderfully to multiple seasons, and how she has the third season ready in her head.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

It has been a positive response. The results are so good that we will start the third season soon. I feel Potluck has found its niche audience.

The showrunners were sure that Potluck would have at least 10 seasons. To be honest, I wasn’t so sure. I like the show’s vibe, so I was sure that it should have at least three seasons. It is in the space of a sitcom, so it can continue to tell the story, like say Gilmore Girls. All we needed was the audience. My biggest fear for the second season was that it was released over a year [after the first instalment]. [I feared that] people forget [a show], especially with so much content out there.

Personally, I like to find humour in the most horrendous situations; it takes away the pressure. I always try to bring in [an element of] craziness. In this season, Dhruv [Harman Singha’s character] loses his job, and I’ve made such a drama about it. We, as Indians, [have a penchant] for melodrama.

There is a scene between the three guys [Singha, Cyrus Sahukar, and Siddhant Karnick] in which they are trying to console Dhruv, who has lost his job, but Cyrus kept cracking up. Everyone was tired laughing at one point. There is a birthday/anniversary scene, which turns hilarious. Also, a scene in the end credits — with Cyrus and Ira [Dubey] in the bathtub — will leave you in splits.

I think Harman was fantastic; he is a director’s actor. Sometimes, when I pushed him, he would get why I am doing so. There was a scene where he was having an internal struggle, which he did beautifully. Ira is my other favourite. [Her character] is shown joining a new office, plus she is trying to fit in. She captured that essence well.

Of course. We are set to have a wedding, which is in my head [at the moment]. But I don’t know what the showrunners are thinking. I think people would be keen to see who Aalim’s [Karnick] parents were, and whether he and Prerna [Shikha Talsania’s character] unite.