After impressing one and all with his romantic portrayal in Colors show ‘Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi’, Shakti Arora has turned a new leaf. He is now anchoring ‘Man Mein Hai Visshwas 2’ on Sony TV. “

Honestly at first I wanted to take a break after working nonstop for two years but then this devotional offer came along. The main reason for saying yes apart from the limited time constraint was the concept. Being a spiritual person myself, I feel I will be in a better position to get my point across to the audiences.”

Can faith can move mountains?

“Well it can certainly create the right atmosphere, thereby enabling us to do good karmas which in turn undercuts the negative effects of our bad deeds.”

On hosting which he has done before as well

(Gyaana Guru and Rasoi Ki Rani) he says, “Normally when you anchor, you are free to add your personality to the narrative but here I am only required to explain what is going on screen. Also the sanskrit shlokha which pepper my time on screen have to be said unchanged.” 
Looking ahead, Shakti would want to do a total romantic character again like Meri Aashiqui. “This genre is formula 44 (sure shot success), if Shahrukh Khan can build Mannat romancing on screen, why not me?” 

What about negative? “
I have played with this streak before in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo and Pavitra Rishta but did not enjoy it, you get abused a lot. I am game for different type of characters / shades albeit in the positive vein.”

Shakti also would not mind leap fogging to films, “But yes very few TV star’s have so far successfully managed the transition like Sushant Singh Rajput. The reason why many of us are still getting a chance is that as big budget films are also not working, so small producer’s are willing to bet their money on good looking faces.”

Here Shakti added,“I would like to be a part of a biopic.”Who would you want to essay on screen?“ Sachin Tendulkar, but I will not resemble the cricketing genius inspite of curling my hair as well. So I prefer to leave that decision to the casting department.”

Going down the memory lane, Shakti who began his career way back in 2007 admits that his journey has been slow. “Had I got popular characters in big show like Dill Mill Gayye, Left Right Left and Ba Bahoo Baby back then, maybe things would have been different. However you value success more if it is hard earned. I have learnt a lot about human emotions during my struggle days and have successfully used it in my acting as well.”

His first brush with success came with Pavitra Rishta but unfortunately it did not open the flood gates. “I came down with measles after the above Zee TV show ended. I had then started shooting for Veera but had to pull out due to ill-health. The infection was so bad that doctors had to inject a lot of steroids into my body leading to weight gain. At one time I was scare that my lead acting career was over, who wants an out of shape lead? It was hard work to lose those extra 9/10 kilos but was worth the pain.”

Finally Meri Aashiqui happened. “I guess the unadulterated romance between Ranvir and Ishani (Radhika Madan) was the major cause of it’s runaway success as today love is not so unconditional.”

He is keen to do non–fiction as well. “I had a great time on Nach Baliye, the romance with Neha was fun. But the dance part was tough as I am two left feet. The stint there has made me Bigg Boss ready as well.”