Shakti Anand: Acting is an art form that demands immersion, not isolation

Shakti Anand recently joined Kumkum Bhagya to play Karan Luthra, a character that he previously essayed in Kundali Bhagya, which ended in December 2024. Recounting the time when he joined Kundali Bhagya replacing Shakti Arora, he says, “When I joined the show, there was a lot of trolling, but I didn’t let it affect me.

My focus was clear: to portray Karan to the best of my ability.”He adds, “I give my hundred percent to every scene. I don’t wait for a big moment to deliver a great performance. For me, every scene is the most important one in my life. I don’t believe in forcing people to accept me — I’d rather let my work speak for itself.”Shakti is also candid about his disinterest in the social media culture that dominates set life. “Social media feels like a trap.

I see everyone glued to their phones with earphones in, completely disconnected from their surroundings. There’s hardly any real interaction on sets anymore.”On how he approaches it differently, he says, “I prefer to sit in a different chair and observe people — the light man adjusting lights, the director explaining scenes, the camera crew setting up. There’s so much to learn by just watching. Unfortunately, many don’t pay attention, and that lack of involvement affects the longevity of their craft.

Acting is an art form that demands immersion, not isolation.”Addressing the growing trend of casting based on social media following, Shakti comments, “Content will always be king, but it needs capable actors to do justice to it. When has a massive online following guaranteed TRPs or box-office success? It’s an unfortunate phase, but I believe it will pass.”