Unidimensional characters aren't my cup of tea'

Barun Sobti will always remain fixed in the minds of many as the suave and arrogant Arnav Singh Raizada in the hit romantic drama, Is Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon. And now, he’s once again the talk of the town with his hard-hitting performance as Garundi in the critically acclaimed show Kohhra.

The actor is well aware of the role the character Arnav has played in his popularity ratings, though he has long outgrown it. “You know, in films and web series, people get to know which actors played the various characters, but that doesn’t happen in television. People never get to know your real name,” says Barun. “Playing Arnav has given me so much love and fame, and I’m fine with it.”
In Kohhra, a dark and gritty murder mystery set in a small town in Punjab, he plays a local cop whose questionable moral compass, like those of many characters in the show, unravels a dark web of family politics, promiscuous relationships, sexual identities and intergenerational strife. The actor says the success of the show is a takeaway for filmmakers and other creators.

“The makers were audacious when it came to casting; none of us were big names associated with an established production house. They chose actors who they thought would fit their characters well. That apart, the story has been told the way it should be told, with no creative interference from any quarter.” Garundi can easily be classified as dislikable, as he goes around beating up people, spewing expletives and even having an affair with his sister-in-law; but Barun says as actor, it’s not for him to judge the character. “I didn’t analyse him, but everyone finds redemption in the end,” he says.

Sharing that his personal life is very different from his onscreen personae, the actor says he can ‘switch on and off’ when he comes to the set and leaves it.  
Referring to the ongoing recalibration of content and audience preferences, Barun says even the OTT space has to look at quality over quantity. “Earlier, the focus was on how to make money. Also, I feel with so much gritty dark stuff on OTT, the quality has come down a bit. There is mediocrity because the volumes have gone up. I’m glad shows like Asur and Kohhra stand out for their quality. The recalibration has been set in motion,” the actor explains.