Happy with multiple opportunities: Kochhar

Candid talk

Bollywood actor, Indian Premier League presenter and TV actor Samir Kochhar says that he is “happy with the mixed bag of things that he has been exploring in the industry.”

“I consider myself very fortunate to be considered for both TV and films and also as a sports broadcaster. I enjoy everything that comes along, but in my heart, I always wanted to
be an actor,” he tells Metrolife.

His latest release Island City directed by Ruchika Oberoi, won rave reviews at the Venice International Film Festival as well as the JIO Mami Film Festival 2015, Mumbai.

Kochhar, who plays the role of Purushottam Ram, a lead character of the TV show, says that his mind was working like a “superhero” while he prepared for the role.

“Enacting a role of a TV actor was a great learning experience for me, especially because my character made so much difference to people’s lives. While my role in Bade Ache Lagte Hain was more urban, here it was more village-centric. The movie shows how much a TV personality can affect people’s lives. So I had to understand how TV shows are shot keeping in mind their influence on viewers,” says Kochhar.

Kochhar, who made his Bollywood debut with Mahesh Bhatt’s Zeher (2005), was also recently seen in Sajid-Farhad’s Housefull 3. However, he says that working on big budget, commercial films are “comparatively relaxing”.

“In a content driven film like Island City where the director is putting all her efforts produce great results, you feel like giving your 100 per cent. Here, the time is also limited and everyone is working for a cause. The experience is very different for working in such films,” he adds.The Jannat actor is now looking forward to Hume Tumse Pyar Kitna, which will be released later in the year. The film, he says, “is a tribute to films like Darr from the yesteryears.”