ALTBalaji’s Apharan Actor Arunoday Singh Talks About Season 2, ‘Ferociously Intelligent’ Ekta Kapoor and More

After the huge success of the first season, ALTBalaji's Apharan – Sabka Katega, starring Arunoday Singh, Nidhi Singh, Mahie Gill and Varun Badola in the lead roles, is all set for a second season. The series, packed with a gripping narrative, pacy screenplay, unimaginable twists, thrilling storyline and electrifying situational background score, was a masala entertainer that catered to a lot of audiences. The first season was somewhat like Bejoy Nambiar's Shaitan, as the plot began as a simple plan to extort money in exchange for a release. The story revolves around Rudra Srivastava (Arunoday Singh), a senior inspector with Uttarakhand police is lured into kidnapping a young girl at her request. But when the chain of events go wrong and a series of lies unfold, realizes that he is now a part of a deadly conspiracy. ALTBalaji’s Apharan – Sabka Katega: Arunoday Singh-Mahie Gill Starrer to Have A Second Season!

Apharan – Sabka Katega is helmed by Siddharth Sengupta, the director of much popular daily soaps that includes Balika Vadhu, Jyoti, Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara, among others. Speaking of the cast, the makers are busy in scripting and the finalizing cast for the second season, however, the show will retain its old cast -- Arunodya Singh, Mahi Gill, and Nidhi Singh -- with additions of some new actors. As the show will soon release, lead actor Arunoday Singh talks about the upcoming season of Apharan. Here's the complete interview. Arunoday Singh Roped in for a New Thriller Series on ALTBalaji Called Apharan

Apharan was a game-changer for you. What are your thoughts on this?

I will be forever grateful for this opportunity. It’s the best thing to ever happen to me in terms of work. With season one being a colossal and resounding hit I am very excited for the Apharan season two. There are some pressure and nervousness going into the preparation and what we stand to deliver, but that’s good pressure and I feel it’s only going to bring out the best in all of us.

What can the audience expect from the upcoming season of this series?

I can’t go into much detail, but what I can tell you is that there will be a few new additions in the cast. The writers, the director, and the cast, including me, aim to deliver a distinct story with the intention, depth, and humour staying intact. We tried to keep it emotionally true and honest as much as possible.

Is season 2 continuation of the first season? or it’s a completely different story with similar ideas?

No. What we’re going to see is a completely different story with the same cast. The second season will be entirely different with a whole new story. It’s a completely new kidnapping set up with some new content. While there will be additions as mentioned earlier, Rudra, the police team, Rudra's wife, Dubey, and a few characters will once again be an integral part of the series.

So, will the show continue yours and Nidhi’s story?

Yes, of course. The first season showed how the two of us are always together. This second season too will continue the story-line as well.

We heard that Aditi Rao Hydari was approached for this season to play a negative role.

That is all speculation as of now. I don't think it’s is confirmed, so I have absolutely no idea about this.

How is it working with Ekta Kapoor? Elaborate on overall experience?

I always had a very good time working on anything that Ekta approves, because we know that if she has approved anything then it must have some certain qualities. Also, she is a ferociously intelligent woman. It’s nice to work with her. She knows her game, what she exactly wants and how to implement them.

How is this digital phase treating you? are you enjoying in this platform?

Oh absolutely! I am enjoying all of it. The frequency of work is the same. It just another medium to work in and it’s wonderful.

What about Bollywood, did you step back? or is it like you are consciously not picking up?

Nothing like that. I have picked up the best that has come to me or I have auditioned for and sometimes it’s a play, a film or a web series. There is no such fixed plan. I am a professional actor who has to work to deliver the best of my ability wherever I get a role.

So, the medium doesn't really bother you?

Not at all. The job is the same, so why it would bother me.

The story of Apharan season 1 was set in Uttarakhand and narrated the tale of a celebrated cop, who finds himself in quite the fix when he has to fight for his one true love, his wife and their survival. In this fight for survival, he had to navigate his way through a kidnapping which evolves into an unknowing murder. The storyline then takes a turn for the worse, when he has to investigate his own crime, trying to get out of a web of lies. Stay tuned!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2019 04:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).