Arnav Maggo opens up exclusively on playing Hridaan, his complicated love for Saumya, and his character arc as Yeh Fitoor Tera clocks 100 episodes.
A hundred episodes bring with them countless scenes, emotions, challenges and, most importantly, lessons. As Star Plus’ Yeh Fitoor Tera celebrates this milestone today, it is also an opportunity for the people behind its characters to reflect on how much has changed since the journey began. For Arnav Maggo, who plays Hridaan, the occasion holds additional significance, as the show marks his television debut.
In an exclusive tête-à-tête with Cutting Shots, Arnav gets candid about everything from his initial understanding of Hridaan and how it has evolved to what television has taught him as an actor and why his biggest goal going forward is actually a very simple one.
Q. When you first read the script for your character in your very first episode, what was your initial impression of him, and how has he grown or changed in ways you didn’t expect?
Arnav: I saw him as a really positive character who is hopelessly in love with Saumya and understanding towards everyone around him. I saw him as deeply empathetic and responsible when I got the script initially. I think the changes he has gone through recently are due to the circumstances around him and his deep love.
Q. Early on, Hridaan was seen as the responsible, perfect son. How challenging was it for you as an actor to peel back those layers and reveal his messier, more vulnerable side?
Arnav: It was definitely a little challenging on the technical front sometimes, but it also felt organic and natural considering the character arc. His love for Saumya is a big part of his life, and there is another heartbreaking angle to it: she is in love with his half-brother (whom he also loves deeply). So, the emergence of this side felt like the natural next step and reaction.
Q. Shooting a daily soap requires you to process major emotional shifts on tight deadlines. Considering this is your first TV show, what is the biggest professional discipline or habit you’ve developed while working at this pace?
Arnav: I think one very important habit is to do the homework and use the downtime to think about the character and the circumstances around him. And then, if you allow yourself to just exist and be present in the moment when the camera rolls, it just happens very naturally. But yes, the scenes can be emotionally and physically taxing, so it’s important to take care of your body and health. I do it by eating clean, sleeping well, reading, and working out so my mind and body can recover.
Q. If Hridaan could go back and change one decision he has made since Episode 1, which one do you think he would choose, and why?
Arnav: I definitely think that being more involved in Saumya’s life and really being around her to understand her better would have been the right way to go.
Q. Has living through Hridaan’s heartbreak and attachment issues taught you anything new about handling emotional situations or relationships in real life?
Arnav: I think I have learned a lot from him because he is a good, selfless person and incredibly open-minded. He is loving and understanding towards everyone. He even encourages Saumya to express her feelings to Jeet while his own heart shatters into little pieces. It’s just that his love for Saumya is so strong and overwhelming that it drives him to do the things he does. It’s the most beautiful thing in his life and a curse at the same time. In real life, however, it’s important to keep things in balance and compartmentalize.
Q. Lastly, as you head towards the next milestone, what is the single biggest goal yourself as an actor on Yeh Fitoor Tera?
Arnav: Honestly, I don’t have a big goal; it’s only to learn something every day, grow at every step, and be better than the day before.
While Hridaan may continue to evolve in ways even Arnav cannot anticipate, the latter seems comfortable not having everything mapped out. Yeh Fitoor Tera may have introduced audiences to him as Hridaan, but behind the character is an actor who is still happily discovering his own possibilities. And just as Hridaan keeps a toffee handy to lift Saumya’s spirits, Arnav seems to have found his own sweet reminder to keep going.
