Carrots for Karamchand

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Nankri

@Nankri

Dazzler

Posted: 18 years ago

Television's favourite detective returns to the small screen next month after 20 years. But as actor Pankaj Kapur tells Ruchika Talwar, he'll still be the same old wily fox

We all loved the detective. The carrot-munching Karamchand played by the inimitable Pankaj Kapur. That was on Doordarshan approximately 20 years ago. His eccentric detection skills and his unforgettable admonishment to his young female assistant— "Shut up Kitty" —made him accessible to all ages. Now, reach for those carrots, again: the small guy with the piercing gaze returns to the small screen, this time on Sony. The Pankaj Parasher thriller Karamchand will roll out mid-February with a new Kitty but Karamchand remains intact, carrots and all.

Pankaj Kapur is no great believer in re-runs. However, he took up this role at the "incessant insistence" of Pankaj Prashar. "Pankaj was too upbeat about Karamchand's return. He left me with no choice and I had to agree because of my longstanding relationship with him, spanning more than 20-25 years," explains Kapur, "Also, as an actor, it is interesting to revisit a role I played 20 years back and see people's reaction. I took it up on a purely experimental basis." He adds, "this was my introductory role on TV and made me popular among the masses, so I agreed to give Karamchand a new lease of life." However, although the thriller will be two decades older than the original there are no efforts to change Karamchand with the times—make him tech savvy in keeping with the modern techniques of solving mysteries. "We are going to retain the same flavour of Karamchand, Kitty and their nuances of unraveling mysteries. Yes, carrots will remain Karamchand's favourite snack," reveals Kapur. The one changeover is that of Kitty. Sushmita Mukherjee, who played the original assistant is being replaced by Sucheta Pawashe. You might have seen her as the new daughter-in-law in Kadvee Khatti-Meethi, the sequel to Tu Tu Main Main. Now Sucheta will have listen to Kapur snap "Shut up" and reply, "Yes boss," with a pleased smile. This is the season of re-runs for actors who began their careers with TV and went on to bigger things in films. Shah Rukh Khan has just come a full circle with KBC, his first TV show since he became a Bollywood Badshah. Pankaj Kapur returned to TV with Office Office and has kept his oar in with the sequel, Naya Office Office. "I returned to the small screen in Office Office and then Naya Office Office as it gave me the chance to relate to the common man that I am. The problems we confront on a daily basis while making both ends meet are not a mystery. Along with presenting those irritating issues, we added humour for the enjoyment of the audiences. This way, I could empathise with them." When there is a dearth of good drama and actors capable of playing dramatic roles, why would some one of Kapur's calibre confine himself to either comic or detective roles? Neem Ka Ped on Doordarshan was the last serial which saw him in a dramatic role. "I did Lifeline and Kab Tak Pukaroon. But one has to take the best from what is being made and offered. You should appreciate the fact that I am not part of some run-of-the-mill saas-bahu serials which are glaring examples of poor treatment of the character. When and where do you see women dressed for a wedding 24X7? A drama should be such that the common man can easily relate to the character (s)." Yes, boss !
Last question: "Karamchand, gaajar khaaogay?"

Edited by barbie - 18 years ago

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Jasmeen Rangi

@bastereliye

Dazzler

Posted: 18 years ago

Thanks you sooo much for the article! 😊 i love Pankaj Kapur's acting! and respect him! he was hilarious in "Office Office" and i hope this show does GREAT too! cant wait to see! he said the right thing by saying that "When and where do you see women dressed for a wedding 24X7? A drama should be such that the common man can easily relate to the character (s)." too good!

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Carrots for Karamchand

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