The popular television drama Itti Si Khushi continues to captivate its audience, largely due to the compelling emotional journey of its protagonist, Anvita, played by Sumbul Touqeer Khan. As Anvita transitions from merely surviving to actively taking charge of her destiny, a constant, quiet source of support has been Virat, portrayed by actor Rajat Verma. In a recent candid conversation, Rajat Verma delved deep into the psyche of his character, revealing surprising personal parallels and the challenges of bringing Virat's emotional turmoil to life.
The Heart and Flaw of Virat: A Mirror to the Actor
Rajat Verma describes Virat as a warm and sincere man whose entire world view is shaped by love. This very emotion, however, often becomes the source of his deepest conflicts. According to the actor, Virat's greatest asset is his capacity for selfless love, whether directed towards Anvita, his family, or the wider community. He operates on the belief that love can conquer any obstacle, enabling him to create, mend, and confront any situation.
However, this noble trait is counterbalanced by a significant weakness. "His biggest flaw is the way he lies and his careless behaviour," Rajat confessed. "Because of this habit of lying, all the drama in his life happens. That is definitely his biggest flaw." This duality forms the core of Virat's character, making him relatable and deeply human.
80% of Virat is Me, Says Rajat Verma
When asked about the similarities between himself and the character, Rajat Verma provided a startlingly high estimate. He sees a strong reflection of his own fun and charming side in Virat. While he doesn't identify with Virat's outspoken nature, he fully relates to the character's carefree attitude and fundamental belief in love's power to solve everything. "And honestly, he's a bit of a fool, so I completely relate to that," he added with humour. "I'd say around 80% of his personality feels like mine."
This deep connection made filming certain emotionally charged sequences particularly demanding for the actor.
The Most Challenging Scene and a Unique Preparation
Rajat pinpointed the sequence where Virat is forced to flee his engagement with Anvita due to Sanjay's interference as the most emotionally taxing. "That entire week was very emotional, confessing our love, explaining why I ran away, and everything that followed," he recalled.
Interestingly, the production schedule played a crucial role in his performance. A one-week break was scheduled before shooting the scenes where Virat returns to kidnap Anvita. Rajat used this gap intentionally to immerse himself in Virat's state of mind. "I really missed the set, my co-actors, and everyone. That longing helped me emotionally," he shared. He also isolated himself from social media and limited conversations to maintain that fragile emotional zone. This dedicated preparation paid off, resulting in what he describes as a beautifully executed scene.
What Sets Virat Apart and On-Set Camaraderie
Rajat Verma emphasized that Virat stands out from all his previous roles due to the character's complete lack of ego and selfless nature. "He genuinely cares about people and society. Once he trusts someone, he stands by them no matter what... I've never played such a completely selfless character before," he stated. This purity of intent is what makes Virat special for the actor.
He also credited the lively atmosphere on set for helping the cast navigate intense storylines. The presence of co-stars who crack jokes and maintain a light-hearted environment creates a necessary balance, making the heavy emotional scenes more manageable to perform.
Life Lessons from Itti Si Khushi
The show has imparted valuable perspectives to Rajat Verma himself. He highlighted two key takeaways. First, the understanding that happiness is found in small, quiet moments rather than only in grand victories. Living in the present and cherishing minor joys accumulates into genuine, lasting happiness. Second, and perhaps more profound, is the reaffirmed belief that love possesses the ultimate power to heal any wound or overcome any hurdle, a theme central to Virat's journey on the show.
As Itti Si Khushi progresses, viewers remain invested in the evolving dynamics between Anvita and Virat, a relationship brought to life by the nuanced performances of Sumbul Touqeer Khan and Rajat Verma, who has found an undeniable piece of himself in his character's heartfelt, if flawed, pursuit of love.
