Pati Brahmachari: Harsh Nagar On Playing The Villain: ‘If The Audience Hates Me, I’m Doing My Job Right’

Harsh Nagar, best known as Anant Desai from Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2, is taking on his darkest role yet as Police Inspector Akash Singh in drama Pati Brahmachari, says the negative turn has pushed him to explore a more layered side of acting.

On joining a hit show mid-way. Harsh admits he walked in expecting pushback from fans of the original leads.

"I came onto the show midway. It was already a successful, running show with two lead characters the audience loved. We knew people would hate it if we came between them and broke them up, so we expected some backlash," he says. "But it also brought in a different audience from a different channel and state, so it was a mix of both reactions."

On changing his look for the role. To break away from his clean-cut image, Harsh underwent a physical transformation.

"I also changed my look for the role - grew a beard and mustache to look tougher. My natural features make me look like the 'good guy,' so I had to shift that to play a tougher character. At first, I think people were pretty shocked."

On dealing with audience backlash. The actor says the hate he receives online now feels like a badge of honor.

"For the new audience, I'm just this unpredictable IPS officer I'm playing. From them, I've mostly gotten hate, because they're not comparing me to past roles - they just see me as Akash because of the look change. I've even gotten abuses on social media. Once or twice I've had to tell them, 'Hey, this is a role - go check her story, she's happy, going to the gym.' It's been new for me."

"Now the cycle has turned - I'm getting that hate mail too. But if the producers say the audience is feeling that hate, then I'm doing my job right. That's the reaction you want as an actor. Honestly, nobody enjoys getting abuses, but it's also kind of fun in a way."

Harsh, has also been seen in Kyunkii Tum Hi Ho, Kartik Purnima and Akoori.