The curtains are down on Bade Achche Lagte Hain, which started as a unique love story of two distinct individuals, and looking back at the journey, actor Jai Kalra, who’s now looking forward to Laut Aao Trisha, says it brought freshness to the Indian TV industry.
The Ekta Kapoor show, starring Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar as the couple brought together by destiny and locked in a relationship of love, featured Kalra as Vikram Shergill, a friend, confidant and business associate.
After a successful run of over three years, the show, which explored how two different personalities discover love after they marry, came to an end last week.
“The journey was amazing. We all developed a wonderful relationship with each other. The cast and crew of BALH is like my second family. It is sad that we have to move on now,” Kalra said.
The tall and handsome actor, who started out as a model in showbiz, believes BALH has not just played a vital role in shaping up his career but also in setting “new benchmarks in the TV industry”.
“The show came when the industry was going through a very over-dramatic phase and needed some newness. BALH came with a subtle touch of freshness and set a new milestone in the industry. It was a one-of-a-kind show,” he said.
Talking about how it was special for him,Kalrasaid: “Well, I did a negative role in Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil and after it, I was offered similar roles. I took up Bhaskar Bharti as the script was interesting and unlike anything I had done before. When BALH happened, it was a chance to do something totally different and exciting. The character of Vikram has given me a lot.”
Now he’s ready for another journey — Life OK’s new thriller Laut Aao Trisha, which also stars actress Bhagyashree of Maine Pyar Kiya fame.
He says he is blessed with the actors he works with in all his shows.
“I have had a bunch of awesome co-stars all through my career. Be it Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar in BALH or Bhagyashree, Eijaz Khan and Rajeshwari Badola in Laut Aao Trisha,” said Kalra, whose new show goes on air July 21.
The show promises to be an intriguing story full of tricky plots and deals with “in family crimes”.
Without revealing much about his role, Kalra said: “It’s a positive one. When I read the script, I immediately agreed to it as I knew that I can do justice to the role.”
Jai has also done his bit on the big screen with appearances in movies like Page 3, Shagird and Love U... Mr. Kalakaar!.
There have also been rumours that he has directed a TV show in the past. But he denied it saying: “I don’t know who made up those rumours. I will want to try my hand at directing, but presently I am totally dedicated to acting. The plan for direction may take a couple of years to initiate.”
