Sharad basks in Bollywood warmth

[1]

In many ways, Sharad Malhotra has had a fairytale tryst with the glamour industry. After winning a model hunt in his hometown Kolkata, Sharad entered Zee TV’s talent hunt, Cinestars Ki Khoj in 2004. From the title to his defining moment in the industry — the television show Banoo Main Teri Dulhan — was but a short leap away. And now, the actor has made his Bollywood debut with From Sydney With Love.

Sharad says the experience has been fairly dream-like. “In fact, I got up this morning, pinched myself and heaved a huge sigh of relief that I’m officially a film old in Bollywood,” says the actor. “There have been a lot of congratulatory messages and calls. I am happy that the industry has welcomed me with open arms,” he adds.
Sharad plays student Rohit Khurana in the film, and he says he took up the part because it reminded him of his own days as a student at the New York Film Academy. “So I could immediately relate to the character. That, and the chance to work with a fresh, young team, full of enthusiasm and raring to go, prompted me to take up the film,” says Sharad.
Although he’s shifted his focus to Bollywood, Sharad says television will always remain his first love. He’s still in touch with Divyanka Tripathi, his popular co-star in Banoo Main… He says, “Divyanka is my 3 am buddy. I owe my success to the medium. But every actor wants to do something challenging and that’s why I was keen to explore new avenues.”