He said, “Every character that an actor plays brings the audience closer to them. They not only see themselves as a reflection of the character but also set a different kind of imagination for them. When the audience forms a connection with a character and that character is linked or married or is dating another character in a show and they are doing well, the audience wants them to come together in real life too. Those cute moments, like the dupatta getting stuck in the watch and the accidental kisses, make the audience wonder how to bring the two actors playing those characters together in real life too.”
“Sometimes it is flattering to see the viewers root for their favorite on-screen couple in real life too. But other times, it feels too personal. We understand that it’s our job to do what we do on-screen, but when the viewers start making nicknames of the characters and start social media discussions, it can affect one’s real relationship too,” he added.
Kanwar believes this especially happens in daily soaps when the audience gets to see two of their favorite characters every day. He said, “People see you every day, they relate with you, they connect with you, and they start believing that the two are together in real life too. If two actors share good chemistry on-screen, it doesn’t necessarily mean there is something going on between them; it simply means they are doing their job perfectly. And people should realize their bond can be professional or, at the most, friendly.”
He blames social media for it. “Today everything is out there. There is nothing hidden. Even a small gesture of kindness can be turned into a big headline. Attending a friendly night out can be called ‘What’s cooking?’ People assume a lot, and they just put it out there, and there goes a long chain of conversation,” he said.
But for him it doesn’t matter. He believes in focusing on his work rather than letting every rumor affect him. “I came to the industry to work. That will always be my first priority. This is a part of an actor’s life, but I do believe that the audience shouldn’t be reading a lot between the lines,” Kanwar ended.
