“He doesn’t just fight cases; he plays mind games”: Rajat Dahiya on playing a cunning lawyer in Sony SAB’s Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil

Mumbai: Sony SAB’s Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil continues to explore the complexities of love, highlighting how men and women often see things differently. At the heart of the show is Yug Sinha (Shabir Ahluwalia), a brilliant yet emotionally guarded lawyer who has been burnt by love in the past and now keeps women at arm’s length. Opposite him is Kairi Sharma (Ashi Singh), a spirited, warm-hearted law student whose unwavering faith in love slowly chips away at Yug’s carefully built walls. Adding fresh intrigue to the narrative is Vikram “Vicky” Malhotra (Rajat Dahiya), a sharp, charming, and dangerous lawyer known for turning every courtroom battle into a psychological game. Vicky’s presence shakes up the existing dynamics, especially as he faces off directly against Yug in court. 
In this candid chat, Rajat talks about stepping into the sharp mind of Vicky Malhotra and what makes playing a character this twisted so much fun.
1.    What intrigued you the most about playing Vikram Malhotra when the role was offered to you?
There was something oddly familiar about this character the moment I read the script. Being a lawyer, he exudes charm, wit, and psychological warfare - it’s like stepping into a game of chess every time he walks into court. And I love a good game.

2.    Legal roles often require a certain body language and command. Did you have to work on specific mannerisms or speech patterns for Vikram?
Though I’m an engineer by degree I didn’t really have to work very hard on playing a lawyer. I have been raised by strong women, from my dadi to my mom. So that sense of calm and knowing when to speak comes naturally. For Vikram, I just built on that, adding a bit of sharpness and control. He doesn’t speak just to win, he speaks to throw people off.

3.    How do you differentiate yourself from Vikram in real life? Are there any traits you admire or dislike about him?
I do admire how confident and fearless Vikram is, he never backs down. But what I don’t relate with is how far he’ll go for revenge. He’ll burn everything just to get back at one person. It’s scary, even if it’s impressive. I know I’m not Vikram and I’m only playing the character the moment I look in the mirror before and after a shoot. For me, it’s like clocking in and out of work. 

4.    Vikram and Yug have a lot of contrasting qualities. How do you approach scenes where you have to highlight this opposition effectively?
I try to keep my prep simple and follow the script. Honestly, the real tension is in the small things, you don’t need loud fights. Sometimes, just holding a look a little longer or saying a line with extra sweetness does the trick. When the history between two characters is this deep with each having a suspenseful backstory, the drama comes naturally.

5.    On-screen, Vicky and Yug share a tense, deeply personal rivalry rooted in betrayal — what’s your off-screen bond like with him and the rest of the cast?
With Shabir it is like working with a real brother. No courtroom drama off-screen, just good vibes, chai, and lots of laughs between shots. The rest of the cast is amazing, such fun, genuine people. And 

6.    What’s been the most memorable moment or fun BTS incident on set so far?
The first day itself was memorable, infact I should say the first shot. I was lost, mentally and literally. There was a new courtroom set, ten pages of dialogue, and an arrogant character to step into. But something about it just clicked. I found Vikram in that moment. So though I was lost initially, it all ended well.

7.    How is Vikram going to shake up or complicate the dynamic between Yug and Kairi in the coming episodes?
If I know Vikram, he’s the kind of person who looks for even the smallest crack and then makes it bigger. If he sees a weak spot between Yug and Kairi, he won’t hold back. He’ll find a way to turn it into something much bigger, because that’s how he plays, calculated, sharp, and always looking for an opportunity to attack.