The tall and well-built Arpit Ranka who plays the strong Duryodhan in Star Plus’ Mahabharat (Swastik Productions) is happy that he has managed to keep his character in good light and not make it a completely negative one, as seen in the earlier versions of the epic. Talking on the same, the successful model turned actor who has been in the industry for ten years says, “A character like Duryodhan could have got completely dark if not played properly. I put in my effort to play it in a way that people understand his side of the story and also get to know why he behaved that way.” “Having grown up watching the earlier Mahabharat, Duryodhan’s character was completely in the negative shade, and so I made it a point to project it differently. And I am glad that I have managed to do that. And not just me, I think the whole team has managed to break that mould and bring in a whole new dimension to the show,” adds Arpit. On the response he has got till now, the actor who has worked down South states, “Oh, it has been great. And interestingly girls are going crazy over me. I think it’s for the first time that a negative character has managed to get so much love and affection from viewers and I am enjoying every moment of it. My family and friends are also raving about it. I am surprised that people across the world are sending me messages saying how much they love the show.” And so is this the start to his new career in TV? With a smile on his face he answers, “No, this is my first and last show as I only want to do films. After Mahabharat I will be back down South, and hopefully one day will come on the big screen as a B-town star. Its only because of Duryodhan’s magnificent character did I agree to do TV, and I am glad I could achieve so much through it.” Arpit also fondly talks about his on-screen best friend Karan played by Ahem Sharma and shares, “The chemistry and brotherhood on-screen is as much or may be more in our real life. We have seriously become great friends and I must say the whole team is great to work with. We don’t even realize how time just flies by when we shoot together.” Keep it going, Arpit!!!