Apurva Agnihotri is back on television, and this time, he steps into one of the most nuanced characters of his career. Playing Dr. Fareed in Seher Hone Ko Hai, the actor says the complexity of the role immediately stood out. “It’s a multi-layered guy, which is a rare sort of thing on TV,” he shares. “He has his professional life and his personal life. Personal life is obviously baulked… you’ll see very evident cracks in his personal life.”
Apurva Agnihotri sheds light on his character
Apurva hints that the doctor’s journey is far from ordinary, marked by emotional fractures, strained relationships, and an intriguing connection with another character. “How he deals with his daughter, his wife, his professional life… and then he has this something very special, something very mysterious with Kausar going on,” he teases. “Overall, the feel of the character was amazing. It’s very unlike what you see on TV.”
Complementing the uniqueness of his role is the distinct visual and storytelling tone of the show. Praising its cinematic appeal, Apurva says, “Like I always say, it’s when Shyam Benegal meets Sanjay Leela Bhansali. We try to be in the real space and be a little larger-than-life for people who prefer watching cinema and OTTs.”
Though he has just begun shooting, Apurva admits he is still discovering the many shades of Dr. Fareed. “I can see the silhouette in front of me… but I yet have to go and hug him, be one with him,” he explains. “He is undergoing a lot of pain. He doesn’t express it… his journey is more internal than external. It’s pretty tough to play, and I hope people connect with this internal journey.”
Apurva reveals what keeps him hungry as an artist
On what keeps him hungry as an artist, Apurva says long breaks help him return refreshed and receptive to challenging parts. “Sometimes they span a couple of years… the hunger comes back after a while,” he says. Initially unsure about the role, he was convinced when the makers sent him a scene. “The scene was written beautifully… very artistic, very spiritual. The scenes are very real. The situations are melodramatic, but there is no melodrama.”
He believes the evolution of television owes much to OTT. “Because of OTT, television is slowly but gradually getting into that space of real moments, solid performances, good scripts,” he says. He hopes shows like Seher Hone Ko Hai will inspire more creators to take similar risks.
When asked about his daughter’s reaction to his comeback, he laughs. “She just turned three… all she knows is dad has gone for a shoot.” Recalling how she once didn’t recognise her mother on set, he says, “Let’s wait and watch how she reacts to me on screen.”
With its layered storytelling, fresh treatment, and Apurva’s intense character arc, Seher Hone Ko Hai promises a refreshing shift from conventional TV narratives—and marks a compelling return for the actor.
