Showing posts with label Karan Veer Mehra interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karan Veer Mehra interview. Show all posts
It feels like I’ve suddenly arrived after 20 years in the industry-Karan Veer Mehra
8:24 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 25, 2025)
With multiple doors of opportunity now opening up for him, Karan Veer Mehra, who won both Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 14 and Bigg Boss 18 back-to-back, is undoubtedly in the best phase of his career.
He says, “It feels like I’ve suddenly arrived after 20 years in the industry, something I didn’t feel earlier. I’m humbled and aware that I must work harder to meet everyone’s expectations. However, I haven’t rushed into taking up random opportunities. I know what I’m looking for – rediscovering the actor in me. For 20 years, I was here and there, and now, suddenly, I’m in demand. But I know this phase is transient. I’m aware that in a few months, a new Bigg Boss season will air, and people’s attention will shift. So, I’m focused on my goals.”
‘The adulation was there, but never to this extent’
Ask Karan if reality shows are the key to reaching this level of recognition, and he responds, “I’ve always been working, and people recognized me through my characters. The adulation was there, but never as Karan Veer Mehra and to this extent. Now, film opportunities and the doors of big production houses have opened up. Earlier, I would hear, ‘Haan bataate hain’, but now I’m having coffee with people, and it’s making me believe that opportunities are within reach.”
He adds, “I continue to give auditions and ask people to test me with a changed approach. Earlier, if I didn’t get a role, I would think, ‘They don’t know what they’ve missed’. Now, when I don’t get it, I reflect on what I could have done better. I’ve missed out on big opportunities because I wasn’t mature enough to understand scripts back then, but I don’t regret any of it. Those mistakes made me who I am today. I’m moving forward with the same enthusiasm and sincerity.”
‘I am not taking a break from any medium’
Although Karan isn’t opposed to any medium, he prioritizes working with good storytellers and meaningful projects. He says, “I am not taking a break from any medium. I’m a performer and an entertainer at heart. I don’t segregate my audience by medium. I’m in talks for a couple of films, and I’ve already finalised something worth the wait.”
‘My relationship with Chum is somewhere between friendship and romance’
His chemistry with Bigg Boss co-contestant Chum Darang became the talk of the town. Talking about it, he says, “There’s definitely a relationship. It’s somewhere between friendship and romance. Chum and I decided to start fresh, without the baggage of being together 24/7, because we won’t be spending that much time together in the real world. There’s an age gap as well. We’re taking things one step at a time. At this point, we’re focusing on our work and being friends, seeing where it goes. We’re not forcing anything.”
‘It’s too soon to say if I’m open to marriage again’
Karan has been open about his past, including two failed marriages. Reflecting on those experiences, he says, “Kuchh bhi kar lo, marriage can never be foolproof. It’s a constant work-in-progress, something I didn’t invest enough energy in before and couldn’t make it work. It’s too soon to say if I’m open to marriage again.”
I plan to fund the education of my staff’s children (with Bigg Boss 18 prize money)-Karan Veer Mehra
8:39 AM
Lifting the Bigg Boss season 18 trophy, actor Karan Veer Mehra discusses putting the Rs 50 lakh prize money to good use, he also talks about taking time to figure out what this win means for him
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; January 21, 2025)
After Khatron Ke Khiladi 14, Bigg Boss 18 was Karan Veer Mehra’s second reality show. Pitted against actor Vivian Dsena from the start, he claims a target was set for him, and he gave it his all. Emerging victorious after spending 107 days in the house and beating 23 contestants, Mehra is in celebratory mode. In a conversation with mid-day after his big win, he talks about taking time to figure out what this win means for him and his career, the friends he has made for life, and his plans for the prize money. Edited excerpts from the interview.
What was your agenda when you entered the house, and did you manage to achieve it?
I didn’t go into the house with any agenda. However, I noticed a lot of wastage of resources like food, water, and gas. We may have plan A and plan B [in life], but we have only one planet. I wanted to ensure that we didn’t waste resources in the house. I believe I managed to achieve this, and I hope my message was loud and clear on this big platform. Even if no one in the house understood it, I hope at least the viewers learned something from me.
What does this win mean to you?
That’s a deep question and something I’ll need to reflect on. While Bigg Boss has become my new normal, it will take time to return to the mayhem of the [outside world].
Do you have any regrets?
I wish I had played the chai patti task. Or I should have been vocal enough to express that I didn’t want to play for either contender because I was upset. I feel I wasn’t clear enough. I should have just participated; it wasn’t a difficult task anyway. The chance to become Time God could have been ours. I always say I don’t make mistakes—it’s the mistakes that have made me.
Do you think the bond you’ve created with Shilpa Shirodkar and Chum Darang will continue outside the house?
After a few days in the house, it’s as if the cameras don’t exist. We completely forgot about them. Luckily, no phones were allowed, so we connected on a human level. Now that we’re out, with phones and other distractions, I don’t know how we’ll manage. But the bond we’ve built over 100 days will surely last. Even in the final moments, I celebrated with them before going to my sister, who had come to support me. They were as excited and happy as I was when I lifted the trophy.
When it was just you and Vivian Dsena, did you ever feel that you might not win?
Sach bolu toh nahin, mucch bolu toh my heart was beating really fast. At one point, we even discussed splitting the prize. When Salman [Khan] sir lifted and dropped my hand, my blood pressure must have been through the roof.
Did you feel Dsena might win due to his television popularity?
I was aware he was regarded as a top contender and was the ladla, while I was the khiladi. A target was set for me, and I’m very happy to have met and surpassed it. When I came in second, I knew where to aim next.
Is there anyone from the house you’d never want to meet again?
No, there isn’t. Everyone is celebrating with me right now.
What do you plan to do with the prize money of Rs 50 lakh?
I haven’t yet collected my Khatron Ke Khiladi money, but I plan to fund the education of my staff’s children. This is something I’ve been considering for a while. I’m already doing it to an extent, but some of them wish to study further, so I plan to sponsor that for them.
I wanted to be with my family, so I took the first flight from Mumbai to Delhi-Karan Veer Mehra
8:12 AM
The actor, who flew from Mumbai to Delhi on Monday, talks about his journey and the longing to be with loved ones
Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; May 27, 2020)
Actor Karan Veer Mehra took the first flight from Mumbai to Delhi on Monday, amidst the lockdown. And though he is in self-quarantine for 14 days, he is glad to be home.The actor tells us, “Living alone in Mumbai is not a problem, but Delhi is where my heart is and 60-plus days of lockdown increased my longing to be here. I wanted to be with my family (mom and sister), so I took the first flight home. And though I am in self-quarantine and meeting them only through a glass door, it’s always heartening to be with them. Of course, I can’t wait to start playing with my 10-month-old nephew, Aviraj.”
Talking about his journey, he says, “The airports were eerily empty and I felt like I was sleepwalking. What’s commendable is that every passenger showed utmost regard for all the dos and don’ts. Above all, I must thank all the frontline workers for being so dedicated and looking after us so efficiently.”
The only shortcoming, he feels, was that there was no screening of passengers for Coronavirus symptoms at the Delhi airport. “There should have been some kind of a check, or they could have made passengers give an undertaking that they would self-isolate for two weeks. We need to be more careful. At such times, I think about our happy, carefree days and promise myself that I will never take anything for granted again,” he shares.
So, when does he plan to return to Mumbai? Also, does he think shooting would resume soon? “Mumbai is my karmbhoomi, so I cannot stay away from it for long. After the recent meeting between the Maharashtra Chief Minister and some industry bigwigs, it looks like work could resume soon,” Karan signs off.
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