Actor Karan Wahi gained widespread recognition for his roles in Indian television series and hosting reality shows. In the early years of his career, Wahi was part of shows like Remix and Dill Mill Gayye, which have garnered him a loyal fanbase.
Over a decade and a half later, Wahi has reunited with his Dill Mill Gayye co-star Jennifer Winget in Raisinghani Vs Raisinghani.
In a conversation with CNBC-TV18, Wahi said it doesn't feel like it's been so many years since the last time he shared screen with Winget. "Working with friends is always special. Also, because we are friends off camera and we've met each other so many times after that (Dill Mill Gayye), we keep meeting and have the same group. So it just felt like I was going to chill with friends, rather than just going to work," he said.
Wahi portrays the character of an ambitious and charming lawyer Virat Chaudhary. Reflecting on his experience of working on the show, he says it was fun particularly due to the unique character he portrays and because he was 'working with friends'. "The concept was a little different to what I've played till today, Virat’s completely different. In terms of his antiques and his way of working life, how he is, he's so different to anything else that I've played till now."
Wahi praised the unconventional nature of his character, which deviated from the typical hero archetype. He found the complexity and shades of grey in his character intriguing, offering a refreshing departure from conventional roles. "The fact that Jenny was doing the show was an added bonus for me to say yes," he remarked.
Delving into his portrayal of a lawyer in the series, The Half Love Half Arranged actor said there was not much preparation. He spoke to a few real-life lawyers and watched videos to familiarise himself with courtroom dynamics. "The creative team kept on helping us when we were on set. I think that was very helpful."
When asked about the distinction between himself and his character, Virat Chaudhary, Wahi highlighted their contrasting personalities. While Virat is depicted as self-centred and assertive, Wahi emphasised his preference for focusing on performance rather than seeking attention.
"Virat is an 'I, me, myself' kind of a person. Where else I could never be that. Even if I had to, I wouldn't want to be the centre of attention by demeaning someone. I would want to be the centre of attention by performing in a certain way that."
Having been in the entertainment industry for two decades now, Wahi acknowledged the shifting landscape driven by changing audience preferences and the advent of digital platforms. He highlighted the abundance of opportunities in the current era, particularly with the rise of OTT platforms, which have expanded avenues for actors and creators alike.
"Now no one has those excuses like I don't like the kind of content that is getting made because television works on a certain way length, films work on a certain wave lenght. And now OTT has a mixture of both. So I think, though it might not be pick and choose, but it's still a lot of options out there."
So does he think that OTT increases the lifespan of an actor?
"There’s nothing that increases the lifespan of an actor. An actor's efforts and hardwork are the only thing that will increase or decrease their chances to work more."
Raisinghani Vs Raisinghani is streaming on SonyLIV
