Exclusive! Kafas actor Viven Bhatena: TV has helped me become a better performer

Popular television actor Vivan Bhatena plays a negative character in the recently released web series Kafas. When we spoke to him after the release of the series, he explained how he distances himself from the toxic onscreen characters he plays.

In Kafas, he plays Vikram Bajaj, a superstar who sexually abuses a child actor during the shooting of a film. He then goes on to silence the victim and his parents by offering money.

When asked how he feels about his character, Vivaan told OTTplay, "He is a shameless man. He is very wealthy and has huge machinery working to protect him no matter what he does. However, it is interesting to see the change in him once his overconfidence in the fact that he is invincible gets shattered when the victim's family holds its ground and raises a voice against him, which is something that he never imagined."

Playing such a negative character is not easy. So, did it take a toll on Vivaan after living as Vikram Bajaj for six episodes? "I think Sahil (Sangha, director) said it the best when he said that I am a different kind of method actor. He saw me going 'on' and 'off' the character, which is something that I can do pretty easily. Sometimes there are leftovers of the character that stay in my brain, but eventually I have to let go of that when I go back home. Since I mostly play negative parts in films and shows, I have learned over time to distance myself from my characters. Earlier, I used to take them back home unknowingly, and I used to get into fights. My wife once sat me down and explained that I needed to do something about this so that it did not affect my normal life."

Starting his career as a model, Vivaan made a shift to acting and got popular with television shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, Chand Ke Paar Chalo, and Pyaar Ka Bandhan. And he is grateful for his stint on TV.

"TV has helped me switch off when it comes to my characters. TV makes you feel like a ghissi hui chappal that is used to just about anything. You can make me stand before the camera and act in any situation, and I will deliver. For TV shows, we have to deliver episodes, so we do not have the luxury of method acting. TV actors learn to perform and get into the skin of their characters very fast," said the actor, who has also starred in films like Dangal, Judwaa 2, Sooryavanshi, and Bloody Daddy.

Kafas also stars Sharman Joshi, Mona Singh, and Mikail Gandhi and is available to stream on SonyLIV.