It’s been three years since Shashank Vyas donned the role of Jagya in Colors’ long-running show Balika Vadhu (Sphere Origins). At a time when most actors prefer to move on and look for greener pastures after essaying a particular character for some time, Shashank stands out as his thoughts are different. Says the actor, “Although I get bored fast, I don’t have the need to quit playing Jagya as he is so different. He is not just a good boy but a bad one as well. I get to play around with lots of emotions. It is difficult for a male actor to get to do so much on desi television.” Shashank adds, “I regard this journey in Balika Vadhu as a learning curve. When I first entered, I was scared about whether I will be able to match up the high standards of talented actors like Surekha Sikri, Anoop Soni etc. Now three years down the lane, all I can say is that I have at least learnt to act, though I have to admit that I have a long way to go.” “Also we cannot compare Balika with other shows; it is a cult show that everybody is raving about. All the characters and the story have become a brand. I don’t care about the numbers whether we are at number one, two or three. I am just concerned about my character and I will never compromise on my creativity.” He is also enjoying working with Sriti Jha (Ganga). “At first I found it a bit tough when Pratyusha Banerjee (older grown up Anandi) with whom I began my TV journey was replaced. But I did not really work much with Toral Rasputra (new Anandi) as the story took a twist and her character got married to Shivraj (Siddharth Shukla) and I got involved with Ganga. All said and done we are just actors who are doing our job as it is given to us.” About the future Shashank says, “I don’t plan much for had I done the same, I would not have been an actor. I would rather have been doing some kind of corporate job.” He does not seem too gung-about non-fiction shows as he states, “I rather prefer to act.” In closing we ask him whether co-star Siddharth doing Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa affected the show, and he did not answer this question directly. He rather clarifies, “I never speak about others; I just talk about myself. I don’t think I have the stamina to go for rehearsals after travelling all the way to my set in Naigaon from my house which takes about 15 hours (shooting + travelling).” You do an amazing job as Jagya, Shashank!!!