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Although interested in acting since childhood, Saarthak Dhaawan wants to become an IAS officer when he grows up. He has already acted in a serial Yadon Ke Chinar and would soon be seen in a documentary film series on children’s issues
Shraddha Maheshwari
At the mere age of ten, he acted in a serial that was shot in Kashmir; when he turned 13, he got an opportunity to anchor a show ’Gadget Guru’ on the All India Radio (AIR). He has also participated in several panel discussions on AIR. He loves meeting and interviewing famous personalities. This is Saarthak Dhaawan, a teenager, oozing with confidence, and residing in Mayur Vihar-I. His goal is to become an IAS officer and serve the country.
Meeting him for the first time, he may look like the boy next door but the perception changes after hearing his animated talk. He believes that whatever he has achieved at this young age is because of his faith in himself. As the conversation progressed, we wanted to know more about his stay in Kashmir during the shooting of Yadoon Ke Chinar.
Being so young then, he certainly could not have any idea about militancy, but he has some beautiful memories to share. He says: "I still remember how I was afraid of sheep and my director persuaded me to take one of them in my hands. Fearing that it may hurt me, I touched it and gradually held it. It was a beautiful feeling, that soft and velvety touch."
Giving an insight on the serial, he said that he played the role of a boy who longed to go to school. But his poor parents wanted him to support himself and earn a livelihood. As his desire to study was very strong, he used to borrow books from his friends and study at night after the day’s labour. One day his parents came to know about it and they objected but he managed to bring them around. Finally, he grew up and got a job in a good company and had a good career.
In 2006, Saarthak received the ’Pogo amazing kid’ award for giving a brilliant performance in a drama. He is truly amazing just not in theatrics but otherwise too. Last year he got a chance to meet President Pratibha Patil. He actually wrote a letter to her expressing his desire to meet her. On November 28, his wish was granted. He met her in the exquisite Mughal Garden, "whose beauty," he says, "is beyond words."
With pride, he also talks about the other people he has interviewed for the school magazine. He says: "I interviewed renowned Odissi dancer Ranjana Gohar in 2007 and Dronacharya awardee Gurucharan Singh in 2008.
Saarthak will probably be seen this year in a documentary film series on children’s issues that will be directed by Iqbal Mehdi. He had also enacted roles in advertisements on bird flu, Incredible India and Employees State Insurance. His keen interest in acting is an indication that he wants to be an actor, but he corrects you, saying: "I want to be an IAS officer and work towards rooting out corruption, communalism and terrorism from our country."
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