TOI: I and Ekta fight a lot - Samir

After Bigg Boss 4, Samir Soni, who was seen more in films and theatre, made a place for himself on television.

Currently busy with his daily soap Parichay Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka on Colors, he talks to TOI about his hectic work schedules, wife Neelam and rapport with producer Ekta Kapoor...

How are you coping with a daily soap?Doing one daily show is like doing 10 films at a time. It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I get irritated with the timings, it is emotionally draining and then creatively you need to be in a good space to be able to produce your best. But here it is all about how fast you can do it.

Soon after your marriage you got busy with this show... I am not able to give time to my wife because I am shooting practically every day for several hours. I feel bad about it. But Neelam understands since she has been in this profession. Of course, she does complain because there are days when she doesn't see my face.

Do you have differences with your producer Ekta Kapoor? We fight a lot and don't talk to each other for weeks. Ekta and I can't be in one room together for even 10 minutes. At times she gets fed of me and says, "Samir, you ask too many questions." Her priority is films right now and I fight with her about that. I tell her to give us the time. She is wearing too many hats right now. We even bang the phone on each other. I am not convinced about the scripts I get sometimes. After all, I am answerable to people, I have my own credibility. Nobody will think that I was given a bad line or a bad script; people will say 'Samir is doing stupid work'. I fight for my character, I want it to be consistent and logical. Or you prove to me that illogical stuff works better then I will do illogical stuff.

Does Ekta want to incorporate more drama, get into that saas-bahu mould and you don't? She doesn't get into these nitty-gritties but there will be differences of opinion from time to time. If there is a major track going on and I will say my character will not do that — 'Why not?' Ekta would want to know. But yes, drama works. That is the motivation for the audience to watch it the next day. Twists and turns are required but presenting it in a logical manner is important. We have to constantly do the balancing act. It is not a typical saas-bahu show but we are also catering to that audience. It is a male-oriented show — men in their 30's who would normally watch sports are coming in and they are a difficult audience to please. It is an untapped audience. Drama has to be incorporated in an interesting and intelligent manner. People perceive it to be an intelligent show.

What about the intimate scenes that you've done in your show... As an actor, I have no problems, but knowing the medium I'm definitely apprehensive and hesitant about doing intimate scenes on television. There is nothing that has not been done before but I will not cross the line. Before every shot we have discussions and I ask the creatives to tone down if something is not acceptable to me.