The Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor opens up about why he turned down Bigg Boss, his approach to choosing television roles, his aspirations for films, fitness, and why he believes television once brought families closer.

For Aadesh Chaudhary, acting has never been about chasing visibility for its own sake. The Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor says his choices have consistently been guided by one question: does the role give him an opportunity to perform?

That philosophy has shaped everything from the television projects he accepts to the film roles he has chosen to wait for. While reality television opportunities, including Bigg Boss, have come his way, Chaudhary says he has preferred to stay away from formats that do not align with his personality.

“I was offered Bigg Boss earlier, but I didn’t want to do it because I am not that kind of person. I am a very transparent person. If I am angry with you, it will show on my face. I don’t have the patience or the planning required for that kind of show,” Aadesh says.

For an actor who describes himself as straightforward, the uncertainty of a reality-show environment is another reason he has stayed away.

“If someone points a finger at me or fights with me, I don’t know what my reaction would be. I don’t want to put myself in a situation where I don’t know how I am going to react.”

Choosing Roles Over Visibility

When it comes to fiction, Chaudhary takes an equally clear approach. For him, the size of a role is secondary to what it contributes to the story.

“Until I like a role, I don’t say yes to a show. If I like the role, I say yes, and if I don’t like it, I say no. It doesn’t matter whether the show or the role is big or small. I look at whether the character makes me happy,” he says.

It is a philosophy that has also influenced his approach to films. Although he has received film offers, Chaudhary says he has chosen not to pursue roles that did not offer enough substance or performance value.

“It’s not that I don’t want to do small roles. I don’t need to be the hero. But there should be something in the story and the role should be performance-oriented. I haven’t got the kind of role I am looking for yet. The day I get it, you will see me in films very soon.”

From Television to Bollywood

Chaudhary’s perspective on the changing entertainment industry is also informed by his own experience as a television actor.

He recalls a time when television actors often faced resistance when attempting to transition into Bollywood, with familiarity on television sometimes working against them.

“Earlier, television actors were not given opportunities in Bollywood so easily. I was told that people had seen me too much on television and that my face had become too familiar. I was asked to wait,” he recalls.

The landscape, he believes, has changed considerably since then, particularly with television actors increasingly moving between television, films and streaming platforms.

For Chaudhary, however, the aspiration remains the same: finding a character substantial enough to justify the transition.

The Performance He Wants to Play

When asked about the kind of performances that appeal to him, Chaudhary points towards characters that leave an emotional impact on audiences.

One role in particular remains on his wish list: Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic character from Agneepath.

“As an actor, I have always tried to do performance-oriented work where I can touch the audience’s heart.”

He also makes a distinction between performance and conventional ideas of stardom.

“Stars are also good actors. I am not saying that if someone is a star, they are not an actor. But the kind of stardom that Shah Rukh Khan has is something very special. I don’t think anyone like him will come again.”

For Chaudhary, the ultimate measure of an actor is therefore not simply fame, but the ability to connect with an audience.

Beyond Acting: A Passion for Health

His interests extend beyond the screen. Chaudhary says that health and nutrition have long fascinated him, to the extent that he could have pursued the field professionally had acting not become his career.

“I have a big interest in health-related things. I see a lot of wrong information going around on the internet. People give all kinds of advice about losing weight and getting fit, and a lot of it is wrong. If I wasn’t an actor, I would probably be a dietitian or doing something where I could help improve people’s health,” he says.

His understanding of fitness also goes beyond workouts.

“Good food, a good workout and being in a good mental space are very important for health. The most important thing in life is to be happy.”

He also emphasises the importance of staying hydrated during summer and being mindful of overall health rather than relying on simplistic fitness advice.

On Financial Security in an Uncertain Profession

The unpredictability of an acting career has also made Chaudhary pragmatic about financial stability.

“An actor’s life can be very insecure and uncertain. Sometimes you have work and sometimes you don’t. If you have other skills, I believe you should use them commercially. If you want to keep yourself financially secure, having an alternate career is a good idea.”

His comments reflect an aspect of the entertainment industry that is rarely discussed alongside glamour and celebrity—the uncertainty between projects and the importance of having a professional identity beyond acting.

Missing the Era of Shared Television

Perhaps one of the most nostalgic parts of Chaudhary’s perspective is his recollection of television as a collective family experience.

“Earlier, the whole family would sit together and watch a show. When Ramayan or Mahabharat came on television, everyone would watch it together. Even cricket matches were watched together. If there was no electricity, people would go to the house where there was a battery-operated television,” he remembers.

Today, he feels that personalised screens and social media have fragmented that shared experience.

“Now the child is watching a Korean drama or a cartoon on the phone, the mother is watching reels and the father is watching something else. I feel social media has taken us a little away from the family.”

Calling himself “a little old-fashioned”, Chaudhary says he continues to make time for those shared moments at home.

“Even today, I try to spend as much time as I can with my family and sit with them and watch television. My dad watches old films on YouTube and I sit and watch them with him.”

Waiting for the Right Opportunity

For now, Chaudhary remains focused on acting on his own terms. Rather than pursuing a particular medium simply for visibility, he is waiting for roles that allow him to bring something meaningful to the screen.

His approach is straightforward: the role does not have to be the biggest, but it has to be worth performing.

And when the right film character finally arrives, he says audiences will know.

For an actor who has consistently prioritised performance over the size of the spotlight, the next chapter may simply be about finding the role that gives him the opportunity to leave a lasting impression.