'I'm finally back to being a man'- Swapnil Joshi

Why did you keep yourself aloof from fiction?

Everytime I get a new character I try my level best to do something new. I feel that every actor is like a package that comes with an expiry date. The smartness of the actor lies in how he gets himself packaged in a new way before he gets expired. I wanted that change so kept away from fiction.

How long has it been since you did fiction?

It's been six to seven years I think, since I've done fiction shows.

What made you take up Comedy Circus?

In today's scenario every actor has twenty options and it's up to him or her to choose the right character. I had done every thing when it came to fiction shows. Satyanarayan pooja, holi, diwali…then I looked out for something else. Comedy Circus was something new and refreshing. Plus each act gave me newer scopes.

However you ended up doing female roles…

Well, it all started when we got stumped for scripts.  The creatives said we they had a script that had Rakhi Sawant and Ravan as characters. Now Rakhi can be changed to some other item girl but the gender of the character was irreversible as it was very tight script. So, to save the audience from disgrace we decided not to make VIP a girl but me. Shekhar told me that I'm the best portrayal of woman he has seen so far. I'm happy for the acceptance but it was a painful affair. I can't believe women pay to get their waxing done. It's like you buy pain! Argh!!

So tell us about Vinaychand.

Well, I'm finally back to being a man (laughs). So it definitely feels good. It's a great compliment to me when Vipul sir said that when he was conceptualizing the script, he thought of only me.  The story tells the tale of a conventionally bad looking guy. But we were struggling to retain the cuteness factor in him. So with inputs from everyone in the team Vinay was created. Vinay is sweet, shy, chatters a lot and is cuddly. His attempts to woo Kokilaben in his own silly way.

How long did it take to finally create Vinay?

It took quite some time.  We tried buck tooth, red hair, so many things. But everytime he would look repulsive. We didn't want that. We wanted him to be approachable, likeable but at the same time not good looking. Finally the look got settled. Then the makeup combination took time. Eventually, with help of experts from abroad etc, we managed to find a good, safe shade and an easy way to apply. We just spray the makeup now with an equipment.

How much time does it take for you to get ready?

It takes around 2 and a half hour for me to get ready. So now the male and the female lead take about the same time to get ready (laughs). So good, I don't get bored on sets these days.

Why did you go for fiction in comedy again? Why not some other genre?

When people have given me so much appreciation and love for my comical abilities why should I go and do something else. Why be different just for the heck of it? No one asks SRK why he plays romantic roles so much? And why should he when people love him that way.

Have you read the original novel of Papad Pol written by Shahbuddin Rathod?

No, I don't know to read gujarati. But I have heard his audio CDs.

Do you think if the show does well, your popularity would reach new levels?

Yes, I think a show's success directly affects the actors. In fact it is true when it comes to Bollywood also. I mean, when a film goes flop, the actor is heavily blamed and the lack of his popularity with people is directly taken as a cause for the film's failure.  However, if the movie is bad, then no matter how talented an actor is, it doesn't work. It's like if India doesn't win, Sachin's century doesn't count. But of India does win, his every single six and four would!

How many papads have you rolled so far?

Many! As an actor you roll a hell lot of papads. Every audition is full of testing times for an actor. So I feel blessed that after rolling out so many papads today I'm considered worthy of people's love. I will always remember what a print reporter once told me, she said – Swapnil many television stars have come and gone but you are the only one we remember as Swapnil Joshi. Or else we remember Mihir from Kyunki and Om from Kahani but we remember you as Swapnil. If people can remember a TV actor's real name, it's an achievement in itself.

How would you describe your career till date?

Thrilling!

Which is the character most close to your heart?

Krishna. I think it would remain special to me forever.

Reporter and Author: Susan Jose