Interview:Mohan Khandelwal

Is this the first time that you are doing television?
Yes. I've finished with all the first times in life, now I'm doing a first time in my professional life (laughs). I'd just completed work on the film that I'm producing and directing. I got a call from Balaji and decided to take it up. I'd been vying for television for a while. A lot of my friends are doing television and are having a great time.

A little about your film
It's called 'Karkash' and will be doing the festival rounds. It's based in an Indian village and deals with chauvinism and double standards. It's my perception of the Indian woman of today. It's my expression of the Indian woman. People have found the climax very bold and quite shocking. There is a bit of physicality, which is important in a relationship. The film has Anup Soni and Suchitra Pillai. I had a fantastic time making it.

What inspired you to make the film?
When I looked around, I saw that a lot of people I know feel it's so cool to party and treat their wives to be glorified servants at home. They take their wives for granted. I've always believed that relationships have to be on a one to one basis. You get as much respect as you give.

Don't you feel Indian women get intimidated by strong women?
Yeah, they do and unfortunately the distributors are all men. They ask me why they should distribute my film. The film is taking its own course. I've had strong reactions to it. Some have liked it and some hate it.

Which are the serials you're working in?
I'm doing 'Kasam Se', 'Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai', and 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki'.

A little about each..
I'm playing Mohan Khandelwal, Jay Walia's friend in 'Kasam Se'. I get involved with the three girls on the show. There's also an involvement with Jay's family.

Are there negative shades to the character?
Not really, at least not now. He's a very positive and happy go lucky character. He's had a colourful past and has a daughter from his previous marriage. But a conflict may arise between Jay and him as he employs the guy Jay has just thrown out.

What about 'Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai'?
It's been on air for a while and I'm a new character on the show. Mittal is a slightly aged character complete with the suit, glasses, walking stick, and salt & pepper hair look. He's an entrepreneur from abroad and is married to Mishti. She's had an affair with Angad and recommends that he use Angad as the face of the album that he's planning to launch. He's been a businessman all his life and is not impulsive at all. There's a thought process to everything that he says. At times he comes across as someone who is cold but he's in love with his wife. In a way I'm also testing Mishti when I agree to launch Angad. But it comes as a shock to Angad. He thinks she's doing it to tickle him or to come close to him. But I manage to corner him.

What are you doing in 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki'?
I'm playing an investigative cop in it. I'm a plainclothes cop, no uniform. There's a kidnapping episode that has just happened and I discover that one of the family members is involved. I get transferred in the typical fashion. It started out as a cameo but now it will take on a different shape.

Would you do saans-bahu serials?
I'd love to. I find them fantastic. I think awards should be given to the creative guys to take a simple household and bring up billions of issues and get everyone involved. They take the most mundane things and make it look interesting.

Are you open to more television offers?
Yes, but now since I'm already working with Balaji, I wouldn't want to work with anyone else.

This sounds like arrogance!
More than arrogance, it's convenience! I'm doing three serials with them and it's easy for me to shuffle my dates and time. Working with Balaji is a fantastic experience. There's no wastage of time and we're treated really well. I'm back home in the evening after a day's work and spend time with my wife and kid. It helps me to get rid of my complexities and problems.