How Bidaai welcomed me

A page from the personal diary of Angad Hasija I still remember February 1, 2008. And I do not think I will be able to forget that day. That was when I started shooting for Bidaai. From the day I decided to become an actor, I longed to do a role that would test my acting abilities and be very challenging. Though, for me taking a different route was much easier. I had done a few music videos in Punjab and had an image of a romantic actor there. Even my mother had commented on why I was working so hard for a different role in Mumbai when things could have been a cakewalk in Punjab. But Bidaai changed it all. By now, a lot of people know how I got the role of Alekh. Initially Rajan Shahi had rejected me because of my muscular features and had said that my physique was too good to play Alekh! I was not one to lose hope and started shedding all the extra kilos I had. Within sometime, I went to meet him again and he immediately selected me – 'I've got my Alekh' is what he had said! My role came on air for the first time on February 11 and on the day before Rajan Sir had told me something I will never be able to forget. He had said, "Try to sleep well today. An actor will sleep today and a star will be born tomorrow." He couldn't have been more correct. Thanks to God and all my well wishers, in the last one year I have achieved a lot – received awards, recognition and love from people from all strata of the society. In fact, so popular is my character in North India that I've heard that people go and pray in the temples for Alekh's fast recovery! One main reason, I feel, why Alekh's role is so popular is because of the way it is being shown on screen. I am portraying it completely differently without any resemblance to what Varun Badola had done in Koshish Ek Asha or Sharad Malhotra in Dulhan. I have often been asked about why I do not do any other show. The only reason is my loyalty and allegiance to Bidaai. I am grateful to Rajan Sir for everything that he has done for me. I will never be able to do something that will have an impact on him or his shows. So, I will not take up new shows till the time I am confident that I will be able to do that without impacting my commitment towards Bidaai.