The three musketeers

Meet Rishabh Chadda, Aakash Ahuja and Abhinav Verma. They are currently seen in the webseries Shaadi Boys. Rishabh, who was seen in films like Drishyam, Delhi Belly and Khoobsurat plays the role of a choreographer in the web series.

Aakash, who gained fame after his famous role in O Gujariya and his performance in the daily soap Qabool Hai is seen as a writer who wants to make it big in Bollywood in Shaadi Boys. Jaipur-lad Abhinav is known for his performance in the serial Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. He plays the videographer who knows his way around women. In an interview with Metrolife, the trio tells Puja Gupta more about their roles, their experience of working for the digital media and more. Read on…

How did Shaadi Boys happen to you guys?

Akaash: I heard the concept from my friend Kavish and was immediately interested as I found the concept really fun and innovative. We discussed the script and got working soon after.

Abhinav: This may sound cliched but it “just” happened. I had auditioned for role of Mukesh before. After a couple of days I was called again, but this time to audition for ‘Nitin’and I guess things clicked in my favour and I got the part.

How is the web series different from the telly world?

Abhinav: The type of structure and content online is not constrained. You can tell your story your way. Even the way you shoot it, really doesn’t matter. As long as the content is great, people will watch it. You have to see the fact that most would watch these shows on their phone. It has to be engaging.

Rishabh: When you are doing T V nothing is really larger- than-life. Also, the scope for improvisation is less, there is less time. You don’t get to prepare much in terms of character. With web shows, there’s a room for experimenting. Something we all like, no pun intended.

Why did you choose to act in a web series?

Aakash: I feel that internet and social media are the strongest instruments for entertainment today, because their reach is massive and ever growing. Also, drawing from international examples such as Netflix and others, we know this has worked all over the world and should be no different in India where our audience is intelligent and net savvy. It’s still a relatively new concept and I strongly believe it will do well.

Abhinav: Web is an open platform and the world is making it a lot more like TV — which is a great thing. The ethics are different but the end game to entertain is the same.

How did the acting bug bite you?

Aakash: I have always been interested in theatre and acting. I have been acting since school and I got a best actor award from the then Vice President of India for one of our plays in school. I have completed my MBA in Finance and I got reintroduced to acting soon after my college and have been pursuing ever since.

Rishabh: I’ve been acting for nine years now. One day my mom said ‘I would love to see you on the screen once.’ That’s about it. I started off with shows on TV and doing a lot of ads. I did commercial theatre for three years, where I played  various characters. Ultimately films happened.

What were the problems that you faced in your journey?

Rishabh: Struggle and hurdles never stop. I work hard on my craft more than anything. I loved the process of auditions. It’s good to prove your metal and get something you deserve. You eventually fall in love with hurdles.

Aakash: There weren’t many hurdles as I try having a positive outlook to life in general. My family is very supportive and I love my job.