Actor Puru Chhibber, who plays Tejas Deshmukh in Star Plus‘ popular show Udne Ki Aasha, produced by Rahul Tewary Production and Rolling Tales Production, believes that a character’s journey is best understood through the way audiences connect with it. Reflecting on his experience of playing Tejas, Puru talks about audience reactions, finding new ways to approach a long-running character and the creative freedom he enjoys on set.
Talking about what viewers would take away from Tejas even if they watched only an episode of the show, Puru says, “I think they would understand Tejas very nicely and comfortably, whether they see the final episode or not. Tejas has created his own genre in the show. I feel the same applies to all the characters, whether it is Sachin, Sailee, Roshni, Renuka or anyone else.”
For Puru, audience feedback is an important indication that his performance is reaching people. “Whenever the audience reacts to Tejas, or when they expect him to return the money, it feels really nice. People even call me Khajoor, which is Tejas’s nickname. If the audience is reacting to you, immediately or after some time, it means you’re doing your work correctly. Their reactions tell you that the character has made an impact,” he shares.
The actor also believes that working on television for an extended period helps performers develop a better understanding of their characters. “In the beginning, it can be a little difficult because you’re still figuring out the character. But after three, four or five months, once you understand the character, preparation becomes easier. If you’ve been doing television consistently, it also helps you grasp a new character quickly when you move to another project,” he says.
Speaking about contributing creatively to Tejas, Puru adds, “The writer and director know how the character should behave because it comes from the writer’s vision. As actors, we can suggest things, and if they work with the writing and the director’s vision, they can be incorporated. I’ve given suggestions that have even been retained during editing, and it feels wonderful when your ideas are appreciated.”
He concludes by explaining how he keeps himself creatively engaged. “After a point, playing the same character can become monotonous. You have to find new ways to challenge yourself and make him react differently to situations while staying true to his personality. I think that’s an actor’s job.”
