EXCLUSIVE! Pearl V Puri On Yaariyan 2, Battling TV Actor Tag And Struggle: I Never Let Success Go To My Head

"I always wanted to get into films and finally my dream has come true", says actor Pearl V Puri, who is debuting in Bollywood with Yaariyan 2, a film directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru.

Pearl V Puri has been a TV heartthrob for a long time and established himself with shows like Dil Ki Nazar Se Khoobsurat, Phir Bhi Na Maane... Badtameez Dil, to Naagin and Bepanah Pyar. Now that the actor is making a transition into films, in an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat, he talks at length about his journey in the entertainment industry.

Excerpts from the interview.

Q. Your debut film is all set to release in a few days. What's your state of mind nowadays?

A. To be honest, I am nervous. Hopefully, the film releases well, and the audience likes the film because we have worked very hard. However, I also feel truly lucky and blessed. So yes, mixed emotions going on right now.

Q. You have worked in television for a long time. You've made a place for yourself. Did you find it difficult to make a fresh start with films?

A. No, because even while doing television shows, I used to go into sets with a little nervousness, as if it was my first shot. And I used to put my whole soul into every shot. I have done the same in this film also. Whatever fame and love I have received till now, I consider it a blessing. I never let success go to my head. Because every person sitting on the set works hard, from a light man to any technician. Everyone works hard, but only the actor gets the love of the audience. That's why I never take this love lightly. This is everything for me.

Q. Do you consider this as your dream debut?

A. Absolutely, I have put my heart, soul, everything into this film. So that I can make it the best experience for my fans. People who have been loving me for years, who are waiting for my first film to come out and watch it... I don't have anything to give them back except my work. So, I never want to disappoint them with my work. The two and a half hours that they will see me on the big screen, I want those two and a half hours to be counted among the best two and a half hours of their life. This is my only effort.

Q. You have a massive fan following. What would you like to say about your bond with fans?

A. These are my own people, my family. They love me tremendously. They pray for me, get my name tattooed and I love them very much from the bottom of my heart. I don't call them fans, I consider them family. It is because of their love that I feel very special. I came to Mumbai alone and didn't even know anyone. But whatever position I am in today, I never feel alone. I feel that thousands of people are walking with me. These people support me so much at every turn that I feel very strong. Whatever I am, I am because of these people.

Q. Working in films has always been your dream. Now that it has finally happened, how was the experience?

A. It was a wonderful experience. I cannot express that in words. But it feels very good. As Shah Rukh Khan has said, "agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho; to puri kainaat use tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai." Same thing happened to me. I always wanted to do this and finally, my dream is coming true. But this is just the beginning. I still have a lot to do.

Q. Tell us something about your character in Yaariyan 2.

A. My character's name is Bajrang, he is full of emotions. There is so much scope for performance in this character that I was able to showcase my acting to a great extent and show all the emotions that I wanted to show. I am sure, a lot of people will feel connected to this character. I think that's what the audience looks for in every film. Like I love Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar because I connect with that film a lot. The most important thing about any story is that you feel a connection with it.

Q. As an actor, how much did you connect with Bajrang?

A. (Laughs) A lot. There would hardly be anyone in the world whose heart has not been broken. I have also gone through a heartbreak. I entered the industry because of my girlfriend. Actually, I am a very emotional person in real life. Even in the industry, I am not able to socialize much because I do not party. I have never tried alcohol and cigarettes in my life, so I feel awkward at parties. That's why I don't go.

Q. But in the entertainment industry, going to parties and making connections with others is an important aspect. Isn't it?

A. No, I don't think socializing helps here. You should be nice to everyone, behave well, and do good work. One does not become a star by making connections. People move forward through craft. Everyone in the industry has given me a lot of love. Never made me feel like an outsider. Be it Salman Bhai, Ekta, they have always loved me. I adore them, but I have always tried not to be a burden on anyone.

Q. You said that you entered the entertainment industry because of your girlfriend.

A. (Smiles) Yes, I am from Chhindwara, later we shifted to Agra. From there I ran away to Mumbai because of my girlfriend. I just left the house in pajama, t-shirt, slippers, and phone. My girlfriend liked Shah Rukh Khan very much and she wanted me to become an actor. So, I used to fight at home that I have to go to Mumbai. But my father was against it. One day he told me that the day I have to earn Rs 100 on my own, I will know the value then. After this, I ran away from home and came to Mumbai.

My journey here was full of struggle. The money ran out within a few days and I did not want to borrow from anyone. Then I spent a month eating only golgappas. I remained hungry the whole day, ate golgappas at 9 o'clock at night and went to sleep. At the month's end, the Golgappa seller asked about the money. Then I remained absolutely hungry for about 8-9 days. I was only drinking water. On the ninth day, I received my first cheque of Rs 5000. I got it cashed and first went to the Golgappa seller and gave the money. After that, I continued working on various projects. That journey I had, was very important for me. I grew up in a well-to-do home. I had never seen financial struggle. But this journey taught me that it actually takes a lot of hard work to earn even Rs 100.

Q. Then when did you sign the first television show?

A. I signed a film when I was doing TV commercials. But that didn't start for some reason. I always wanted to do films, but things were not working out. At the same time, TV offers were coming to me continuously because I kept meeting people. At one time I was offered three shows simultaneously, out of which I had to do one. There was a show titled Chamak, which was supposed to appear on Life OK. The second show was Badtameez Dil, and the third show was Veera. At that time my financial condition was not much good and that very day I decided that I was doing TV and I signed Badtameez Dil.

Q. TV gives you immense popularity. But on the other hand, it also overexposes you. Many actors who have gone from small screen to films have said that the tag of 'TV actor' remains with them for a long time, due to which their career is also affected. How do you feel about this?

A. I think some of the TV actors themselves have a lot of notions about it. I can stand in the highest place in the world and tell everyone that.. yes I am a TV actor and whatever I have earned I have earned from TV, but today I am here. What matters is that I am doing a good job. If I am not doing good work, it doesn't matter whether I am a TV actor, OTT actor, or TikTok actor. Nobody will like me. Talking about TV actors, Shahrukh Khan also came from television. Sushant Singh Rajput, who is not with us today, was also a TV actor. Mrunal Thakur is also a TV actor. But today the world knows all of them. Today, Shahrukh Khan sir is the biggest superstar in the country. That's why I don't think TV stops you. It should never be looked down upon.

Q. Lastly, what kind of roles do you aspire to play as an actor?

A. I really really want that if Rockstar to be made again, then Imtiaz sir please do it with me. That film is very close to my heart. Also, I like Imtiaz sir's work very much. Actually, I am very calm in real life, so I am very fond of playing a rockstar-like complex character. I want to be offered such roles where there is a lot of scope for performance.