'I play a grey role and not a black' - Sudesh Berry

Given the relatively low TRPs of the saga of conjoined Amber Dhara, the creatives have decided to add some spice by introducing the long lost father of the twins. Renowned TV and film actor Sudesh Berry will essay the role of Dev Shukla, the husband of Mona Ambegaonkar.

We caught up with Sudesh for a frank tete tete on the show and his career.

Talk us thro’ your character in Amber Dhara?
I play the conjoined twins’ long lost father. He had abandoned them at birth, for he did not want to face the ridicule of fathering such abnormal children. Now years later, he again faces his family. He is the prosecuting lawyer against Dhara, who is accused of shooting Akshat's mother, Kamini. My wife Mona is the defense lawyer.

What do you think of your character?
Every family has situations within their family units which make them act like they do, and what society perceives as negative might not actually be bad at all. Similarly, here my character had its own reasons for his earlier actions. I think I am playing a grey, and not a black role.

What attracted you towards this role?
It's all intuition. When I read the script, I realized that the role was very challenging, hence took it up.

Are you comfortable playing a lawyer?
I am a very talkative person, so I am most comfortable with the lengthy dialogues that are normally reserved for a prosecutor's role.

Do you feel bad playing such a character?
Why should I? TV any ways has a very limited attention span. Today you will watch one show, and tomorrow will forget all about it.

You are also playing Brigadier Gaur in Left Right Left. How is that role when compared to Amber Dhara?
Yes, but you can’t compare Amber Dhara with Left Right Left. In the above SAB show, I play just one of the many characters, while in AD, I have a very important role.I really don't give too much importance to Left Right Left, while I am enjoying Amber Dhara to the fullest.

Will your character in Amber Dhara turn positive?
I have no idea, that all up to the creatives. But if they do think along those lines, then I will try to make it look as realistic and convincing as possible.

After big TV hits like Andaaz, Arzoo and Jeet, you had disappeared, why?
I can’t go on working. I need time to hibernate as well. In fact I have rejected over 200 serials in the 15 years including the role of Mihir in Kyunki. My last major show was Suraag on DD. I have been around since 1986. One of my earlier co star was Jodha Akbar director, Ashutosh Gowariker, in a show called Satark. He looked smarter then, as he had hair(laughs). We shot 10 episodes for this DD weekly based on the coast guard, unfortunately where they sank nobody knows till now.

Similarly, after a splendid big screen debut in Vansh, you failed to strike it big in bollywood as well..
I have also had other hits like Ghayal, Mohini, Kayda Kanoon. But major success eluded me, for I did not have a god father in the industry. I thought that one should be selective in choosing films but may be the world thought otherwise. All said and done, no regrets though. I don't have too many aspirations like owning a sea facing bungalow or a big pent house. In fact, my loss was Shah Rukh Khan's gain. I was approached for the negative lead in Darr, but then fate wanted to give a major boost to a then struggler from Delhi.

Your take on reality shows?
They are nothing, but small road side shops selling their wares.

Author: Anil Merani