Same, same but different

Despite being cast as a Sardar in multiple projects, Pavan Malhotra on how he never repeats himself as he garners praise for his role in Tabbar

No matter what role he plays, Pavan Malhotra wears his characters like second skin. Once done, he moves on to the next, unlike those who take months to get in and out of characters. The actor calls them “frauds”. “I can only act when the camera is switched on. Why should I act in real life? People who claim to be stuck in a character for three months and need a therapist to get out of a role only sound nice. I played a rapist in Brother in Trouble (1995). It doesn’t mean I will go out and behave that way,” says the actor, whose latest web outing, Tabbar has been making waves.

The Supriya Pathak-starrer on SonyLIV revolves around a retired constable who pushes the boundaries to save his son from the consequences of an unfortunate incident. Does he believe in crossing the line to protect his family? “While the show doesn’t talk about drawing a line, in real life, pampering [or safeguarding] children too much will be detrimental for them. They have to be taken to task, so they are prepared for life,” says Malhotra, who — like his previous series Grahan — portrays a Sardar in this one. But the actor insists that he has never repeated his characters. “My character in Jab We Met was different from the Sardar I played in Mubarakan, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Badmaash Company, or the recent Grahan. I am a Punjabi, so it comes naturally to me, but I ensure to use a different body language [for all my characters].”

Having started his television career with Nukkad, Malhotra believes that some shows should not be remade, especially the 1986 gem. “The ideologies of people have changed with every generation. It’s sad that the children today are not aware of their history but ask them about brands, and it’s at the tip of their tongue,” says the actor, adding that youngsters nowadays wouldn’t relate to the lessons in Nukkad.

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