Mumbai: Child actor Arish Bhiwandiwala, who played the young Hrithik Roshan in the remake version of `Agneepath` will be now seen as teen Akbar in television show `Bharat Ka Veer Putra-Maharana Pratap`.
He is replacing Sahil Deshmukh, who had to quit the show owing to ill-health.
Arish, who is a first year commerce student from H R College, auditioned for the role of young Akbar and is happy to have bagged it.
"It feels sad that Sahil is unwell and he couldn`t do the role. Akbar has always been my favourite historical character. I love the way he conducts himself... He doesn`t discriminate among anyone and respects everyone, these are few of his qualities that I admire," Arish said.
`Agneepath` film brought him recognition from all quarters and now he is planning to take up full-time acting.
"I feel lucky that I got to do this film. Hrithik sir and our director Karan Malhotra were very helpful and sweet to me. I will always cherish the moment I met Hrithik and doing this film. There were quite a few offers after that but as I was studying in class X, I chose to focus on my studies. But acting is something I am really enjoying and I am looking forward to make it as my profession," he said.
"I felt bad as I couldn`t take up acting due to my studies. But I feel education is a must," he said.
As for the TV show preparation, actors Shahbaz Khan who plays Bairam Khan and Jaya Bhattacharya who is Maham Anga in the serial are helping Arish getting his nuances right as young Akbar.
"I don`t know Urdu that properly but I am learning. Shahbaz sir and Jaya mam are helping me in every way possible," he added.
