’Ram Kapoor’ becomes ’Jana Bhau’

A little about your character in Resham Dankh
I'm playing 'Jana Bhau' a character with shades of humour and negativity. He stays as a tenants in a chawl. The Balraj family becomes bankrupt and comes to live there. He opposes this as he wanted his friends to come and live there. He also aims to become the Corporator of the ward in which he lives so tries his hand at playing politics with people with people in the chawl. The humour bit is there's never any financial contribution from him even when everybody else does their bit.

What has been the response to this character?
There's been mixed response. My friends and co-stars find him cute and humorous. It's a well-defined character, so it's fun to perform.

Your characters seem to have a peculiar trait in them!
Ram Kapoor of Hum Saath Aath Hain was another well-defined character and people tried to ape him a lot. His laugh and Punjabi accent had become a style. I was even nominated for 'Best Actor' for the role. I also did a character called Saxena in Shree Sifarish Lal. He had a typical way of speaking. He'd first speak to himself and then perform an action.

Which has been your favorite screen character, so far?
I did Ajnabee in '95. It was co-produced by Danny Denzogpa and Romesh Sharma. I played a BSF officer in it and it was shot in LoC. It was a very strong character and in the end he even shoots his own brother in the end as his brother joins hands with terrorists. This was among the serious characters that I'd played. Of the humorous characters, it's Ram Kapoor of Hum Saath Aath Hain. Finally, I realized that making others laugh is very important in today's world. The character was well-portrayed and my accent and mannerisms really clicked with the audience. The best part was that although it was a comedy show, every episode ended on an emotional note. I'm also enjoying 'Jana Bhau' as my director, Dharam Pal, adds little punches to my character and enhances it. We used to be co-actors years back and I was surprised to see that he was to direct this show.
You are also into theatre!
I co-produce shows for Yatri. I'll be going to Dubai for some shows of Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon. We performed Perfect Husband in New Jersey'. The response to shows abroad is the same as one would get in Calcutta or even Ludhiana. It's amazing.

What prompted you to start your career with both theatre and television?
That was way back in '87. Theatre was the right medium for me to make my debut as an actor. It gave me the required amount of confidence and also taught me humility. I cleaned floors and even polished shoes of some actors. Theatre teaches you dignity for these things. It also teaches you how to laugh at your self. I feel an actor cannot do comedy unless he can make fun of himself. I'd also developed this habit of speaking to the writers about my characters so that I could enact them well. I do the same on television now.

Most actors feel theatre is more difficult than television!
I don't agree with that. We have a lot of rehearsals in theatre so it's easy for us to play our characters. Television is too fast-paced and there's no time to develop our characters.

How about films?
I'd love to do films if something good is offered to me. I think most of the times filmmakers think that television actors are too busy so stay away from us. I haven't yet approached any filmmakers but have no ego hassles about that. If I were to hear of someone auditioning for any role, I'd surely go for it. But otherwise, I'm happy doing television. What I'd really like to do on television is anchoring musical shows. I want to explore other possibilities on television.

How about direction?
Not yet. I'm enjoying acting.

How would you want to see yourself a few years from now?
A better actor who is very famous and also versatile. I'd also love to be known as an anchor. I also sing a bit although I haven't trained for it. My plays will continue. I'd love to do plays for other groups also. I'll also do English plays provided I get good roles and scripts.

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