My beti is my laadli: Kanwaljit

For years, we have appreciated him on television... Buniyaad, Family no 1, Saans , Kanwaljit Singh's credentials seem never ending. The

Kanwaljit Singh with Shivshakti Sachdeva

veteran actor is back on television after a long hiatus with Sabki Laadli Bebo .

In an exclusive interview with TOI, Kanwaljit talks about his latest show, his onscreen daughter and more...

What attracted you towards Sabki Laadli Bebo ?

In television industry, people love to follow the popular trends. Lately two shows were offered to me and surprisingly both of them were based on a father-daughter relationship.

I picked up Laadli out of the two, as this character has more depth and is very well-written. Previously, I did a show on the same lines. It was called, Aisa Des Hai Mera. It started well, but something went wrong with its script and it did not work. Television is a writer's medium and it's so sad that people hardly pay attention to it. I am glad; in case of Laadli things are much better.

Tell us about your character Kuku Narang on the show.
People in the industry call me Kuku, so the character is named after me. Kuku is a very simple and hard-working guy who believes in enjoying simple pleasures of life. Just like him, I always wanted a daughter. In real life, we are three brothers and I have two sons. I really adore my sons but my daughter makes me feel blessed. She is in United Sates at the moment.

There are many daily soaps on television these days, what helps Laadli stand out?
I'm a trained actor and believe in giving my 100 percent to whatever I do. I wouldn't like to compare Laadli with any other show, as I have never followed them. But I know one thing, alongside successful shows like Balika Vadhu and Bidaai , people in the industry talk about Laadli too. So I am satisfied that we are grabbing eyeballs.

What kind of a relationship you share with Shivshakti Sachdeva, who plays Bebo on the show.
She is a sweetheart and is quite hardworking. We have been working together from past few months and I feel she is growing as an actor. She handles things more maturely now. She has a good command over language and is learning two more. I guess she is just 16, but she is great as an artist and I enjoy working with her.

Do you lend any acting tips to her?
Apart from Shivshakti there are so many other young actors too on the show. Whenever anybody comes to me, I try to help them in every possible way. As an actor, I can only share whatever I know of the art. You can't master it in a day.

From Buniyaad to Laadli , you have played so many characters on screen, which one stands as your favourite?
A few years ago, I did a romantic series named Farmaan . It was just a 14-episode series and was aired on Doordarshan. I played a nawab from Hyderabad in it. The hangover of the show remained for long. I started introducing myself as 'Nawab'.

Have you deliberately kept yourself away from reality shows?
I really like to be an actor rather than hosting a show or being a contestant. A show was lately offered to me but I'm too busy with Laadli to take it up. When Farooq Sheikh opted out of Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai , it came to me but I declined it.

Apart from Laadli what else is keeping you busy?
The show keeps me engaged for nearly 25 days in a month. Still I try to do a few films in between. I have done a lot Punjabi films lately. I have just come back from Australia after shooting with Aarya Babbar, Raj Babbar's son. I play his father in the movie. Apart from that, I like to play tennis and read a lot.