‘One should keep in touch with fans’

SHAKTI ARORA tells SHALINI SAKSENA that despite being absent from TV, he kept in touch with fans via a new app

You are shooting abroad. Is it a TV show?

No. It is a horror movie for which the shooting is on in Jakarta. Indonesians love horror films. I have been here for seven months now working with a particular group. They had never ventured into films but they wanted to start with me. I was always interested in doing films so I said yes.

How important is it for an actor to have an alternative career option?

It is extremely important. This is because as an actor sometimes you have work, sometimes you don’t. To maintain your lifestyle, there is need to have another source of income.

Do you have a favourite genre?

I have tried my hand at almost everything. I have been a travel agent, a salesperson and a shop owner. I then ventured into acting. It took me several years to make a name. Even now, I am looking for an alternative career option.

You are a tarot card reader as well. How did that happen?

I have learnt Reiki and Tarot Card Reading. I get a lot of intuitions and that has helped me pursue this career option.

What makes you uncomfortable?

Fake people.

You have been in the industry for a long time. What has changed?

There was a time when people used to celebrate if they got a call for an audition. My family would be thrilled. Today, auditions are held regularly. The market has become huge. There are so many opportunities. There is so much more awareness now due to the social media. One can directly ping a casting director on Facebook to get in touch. This was not so when I had joined the industry.

What is your app all about?

The app is a platform for my fans to connect with me. It helps me track all the people following me. Once I find my top three fans, I can talk to them directly. The difference between this app and, say, Facebook is that through this app I can track who my real fan is. It will help me identify top 20 fans and probably organise a contest so that I can meet them and interact them from whichever country they are.

Why launch the app now?

Actually, it is a soft launch. I chose this because I have a fan base in Indonesia which wanted to get in touch with me. Connecting with fans is my way of doing my bit for the appreciation that I get for my work.

Any projects you are working on?

I have a few lined up and will have a look at them once I am back in India.