EXCLUSIVE! Shantanu Maheshwari on Breaking His Chocolate Boy Image With Medically Yourrs: I Never Expected to Be Put Under That Tag

Calcutta boy and TV heart-throb Shantanu Maheshwari, who has been winning hearts with his dancing and acting skills, won the adventure reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi season 8. The dancer-turned-actor, who was recently seen in Colors Kitchen Champions, hosted by Arjun Bijlani and shot for a special episode appearance on Bharti Singh, Harsh Limbachiyaa and Aditya Narayan's Khatra Khatra Khatra, has not appeared in any production ever since MTV's Girls on Top. Well, the actor has now been roped in for ALT Balaji's web series Medically Yourrs. Alt Balaji Medically Yourrs: Lead Actor Shantanu Maheshwari Ends Up Smoking Real Cigarettes For The Web Series

In an exclusive interview with LatestLY, Shantanu, who is associating with Ekta Kapoor and ALT Balaji for the second time, gave us insights into his character on the show. He said, "You will see a very different character to what I have been doing in the past. The show also enabled me to work on a lot of firsts in my career. So I would actually love for all of you watch this side of me which I have experimented with for the first time, and I hope you guys enjoy it!" Shantanu Maheshwari to Be Seen in This Show Next, Ahead of Ekta Kapoor’s Medically Yourrs

How was your experience working with Ekta Kapoor and Alt Balaji again?

I am very happy to be associating with Ekta Ma'am and ALT Balaji for the 2nd time. It was she who thought that I was capable enough to pull of this particular role. So I am quite happy that she had faith in me to do this. And ALT Balaji at the moment is one of the best content creators in the digital space, so getting another chance to work with them under Ekta Ma'am's supervision has has been a great experience, and more of which I hope to do again in the future!

You have this boy-next-door image. But now, we'll see a mould break with you abusing and going bold in Medically Yourrs. How do you think your loyal fan base react?

I am not someone who thinks about what other people are going to think about my work, or how they will react to what I showcase on screen. As at the end of the day I only work on whatever I am confident of and what I believe in! These are my decisions that I don't look back on once I have taken them. And so far people have been kind and understood where I am coming from. For me, if the script is organic and the role requires it, I just go ahead with my gut feeling and work on it.

Will you be happy if you get rid of your chocolate boy image?

Well I accept that tag, but I never expected to be put under the chocolate boy tag, so there is no expectation of it being removed! So it's not like I am working towards making myself look like something or someone, as I am a person who goes with the flow. I take up the project if I really feel passionate about it and feel that I can pull it off, and that's how I approach my work! I go with my gut feeling, and not worry about others reactions to what I am doing, or how they will or will not stereotype me in anyway!

Tell us about some pleasant/ unpleasant memories while shooting for Medically Yourrs?

The entire experience of shooting Medically Yourrs was quite amazing! All of our cast has come in from different backgrounds, which we actually bonded over quite well through the duration of our shoot. Our crew as well, our director Abhijit sir, all our AD's and production people have been very supportive throughout! The way we all got together and pulled this project off in such a short period of time has just been commendable! Though the only downfall for me through the shoot was my health, which I was constantly struggling with due to not being well at that point of time. But again that itself was an experience, which helped shape my performance in many different ways!

Catch the Trailer Here:

ALT Balaji's Medically Yourrs, which was launched on May 27, tries to highlight the plight of a medical student in quirkiest possible way. Besides Shantanu, the series also feature Subha Rajput, who was seen playing Nakuul Mehta aka Shivaay's sister Priyanka in Ishqbaaaz, Bijay Anand (last seen on Dil Hi Toh Hai), Naagin actor Manas Adhiya and Shubhavi Choksey, who is currently seen in Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2. Watch this space for further updates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2019 06:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).