Barun Sobti of Kohraa fame says Indianness is multi-dimensional

From being the poster boy of television to an actor worth reckoning, Barun Sobti has transitioned from one pinnacle of success to another. If back in time his Arnav Singh Raizada in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? earned a permanent place in the minds of television buffs, more recently he has won the Critics’ Choice Award for his heartwarming portrayal of stay-at-home dad Avinash in SonyLiv web series Raat Jawaan Hai. Actors might be taken more seriously in the OTT space, but he interjects, “There are some phenomenal actors on television too.” He bid adieu to the business of television soaps for obvious reasons, frantic pace of work that episode after episode demands, leaving one little time to reflect on one’s craft or even know oneself.

With franchise models becoming a norm on OTT too, aren’t web series walking down the same road? He nods, yet points out, “Ultimately making of web series is not charity. There is a business model to be considered. But even then there is enough gap between seasons to ensure that creativity doesn’t go for a toss.” Besides, he adds, “All these makers moved to OTT for they wanted to say something different.” So, even though Kohrra Season 2 is nearly ready, he promises not only will it be more elevated but once again a breath of fresh air, providing yet another vantage view of one of the most important states of the country – Punjab.

A Punjabi born and brought up in Delhi whose reference points of Punjabiyat were Punjabi pop culture, Kohrra was an eye-opener for him too. As his nuanced portrayal of Amarpal Jasjit Garundi, a cop who is macho and vulnerable in equal measure, won him much acclaim, he admits, “I went into it a different actor and came out another one.” Working with Sudip Sharma, creator of Kohrra, and Sumeet Vyas, director of Raat Jawaan Hai, both pioneers in their own way, has certainly been an enriching experience. He avers, “Lessons can’t be counted, are only imbibed subconsciously. These are people I really look up to and we are on the same wavelength.”

Since Raat Jawaan… comes laced with so many progressive subtexts, is right messaging important to him? He says, “Sure I would not like to be associated with something regressive.” But at the same time, he is not unduly concerned about what the series/film is trying to convey. The real reason why he said yes to Raat Jawaan… was for it sounded so much fun. As it turned out, in fact it was greater fun on the sets. He shares, “The vibe you see on the screen with my co-actors Anjali Anand and Priya Baapat is real.”

In fact, often he has such merry time while shooting that he exclaims, “To imagine that we get paid for such pleasurable moments, is almost surreal.” Interestingly, before he signs a project on the dotted line, he always checks the vibe of the makers and whether he fits in their worldview.

He agrees that there are not too many lighthearted shows as more and more people are thinking with their brain and not heart. But he has been lucky enough to grab yet another breezy show and soon shall be seen in a fun.com Ikkathe, once again about a Sikh family. Punjab, he reminds you is not one thing, nor is there anything quintessentially Punjabi about him. He asserts, “About time we dispel myths about Punjabis as butter chicken eating quam, who talks loudly and wears jewellery to weddings.

As Kohrra has shown us, there are very many complexities and layers to us.” Similarly, he feels our Indian-ness is multi-dimensional. Sure wearing the uniform in Rakshak- India’s Braves was an emotive feeling. But as many Bollywood celebs are being trolled for not expressing their support for Operation Sindoor, he can’t say that fans’ expectations are unfair or misplaced for, “emotions are a very personal thing.” But he does reflect, “Often my parents too tell me similar things. Today we are living in our own country, independent India, who do we have to show our patriotism to? Besides, we all have our jobs cut out, we all need to fulfill our duties and actors’ job is to work and entertain.”

With a busy calendar, while the actor in him is gaining more and more confidence, he is a bit nervous too. At a crucial and fulfilling juncture in life where his bag is full of treasure trove of exciting roles and projects, including an indie film, he believes there is a lot to lose if he does not measure up to rising expectations. Judging by his recent body of work, the Asur actor is likely to emerge on the top of the game. Didn’t Henry David Thoreau say, “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”

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