I have strongly believed in the fact that TV makes you a household name. And while the medium has an enormous reach some shows have from the small screen have even managed to reach international frontiers. From the current ones, it has been Kundali Bhagya that has a localized version of it running on Indonesian televisions. The Dheeraj Dhoopar and Shraddha Arya starrer has also been ruling the TRP charts right from its beginning, even today, the show is amongst the top 5. However, things are about to change as Dheeraj aka Karan Luthra has parted ways from the show. Yes, this news was as shocking and unsettling for me as it is for you, for the same, I quickly got in touch with Dheeraj and spoke to him about ending his journey with Kundali Bhagya.
Here are the excerpts from our conversation:
On his decision to leave Kundali Bhagya…
I have been associated to the show for almost 5 years, as they say you need to move to better things in life, toh kahin se nikal ke kahin pohcha jaata hai right. I am leaving the show with a happy heart, Kundali Bhagya has been like my baby.
On how much he is going to miss the show…
I am going to miss the show, especially, Karan Luthra. The character has been a very integral part of my personality. It’s one of my most favorite characters from whatever I have played on screen so far. I have loved every bit of being Karan Luthra. I have always said, Karan and Dheeraj are very much alike. I am supremely happy that I received so much love from around the world. Karan Luthra has become an iconic character on Indian television, so I get emotional talking about him, but today I am happy because I started with a dhamaka and I am leaving Kundali Bhagya with a bang. When I started Kundali was the number one show and today again we are in the top 5, the show is on number one on the channel. I have no regrets.
On who is he going to miss the most from Kundali Bhagya…
All thanks to Ekta Kapoor for making such a tailor made character for me. It happens to very less people. I am going to miss Shraddha, Manit, dadi and everybody. Everyone in this crew was like family. Yetserday, they came to my vanity and told me not to leave the show, everybody got emotional on the set. I am going to miss all the parts of Kundali. I lived like a king on Kundali and I will live like one forever even with whatever I do next. I will always be grateful to the team and to Ekta for giving me Kundali Bhagya.
What’s his plan ahead…
The plan ahead is super good, I am looking forward to getting into Punjabi films, Bollywood and the OTT space. I have been meeting a lot of people off late, but I don’t want to switch over mediums just for the sake of it. I am a star on TV, if I get something of similar stature on OTT or films, I would love to be a part of it. I don’t say no to anything, I don’t differentiate between mediums, if I get a good TV project, I will be more than happy to take it. I am open to everything. There are lots in the pipeline, we will soon make an announcement.
On becoming a father soon…
I am super excited for the baby, everybody around me has been telling me to be prepared for sleepless nights. I am waiting for that day to arrive and then I am all in. I was just watching an interview of Shah Rukh Khan where he was telling that when you become a parent or a father there is nothing else you want to be. You just want to be a father and be there for your child. Once the baby arrives, I will realize that hidden emotion of being a parent. I am waiting for that emotion, but as of now I am on cloud 9. I am looking forward to it.
Well, it’s new beginnings for Dheeraj and I wish him all the very best for the same. I hope he keeps treating us to more amazing work soon, Kundali Bhagya will never be the same without him.