Tell me something about your new serial Grahasti?
Grahasti is a heart-rending family drama in which I play the patriarch of the family which consists of only females except for me. The serial will unfold through a story of seven women belonging to the Khurana household and their journey as they cope with life after the loss of the only male member of the family
Is it yet another saas-bahu saga?
No. Grahasti is not at all dwelling on the saas-bahu saga. Instead, it is the story of the hardships faced by the women in the family at every stage of their lives, be it as a mother, a daughter or a grandmother. After having lived in a protected environment all the while, destiny suddenly exposes the women to a life that forces them to find a footing and identity for them in a male-dominated society where women are often taken for granted.
In what way do you feel that this is a different serial as an actor?
The serial’s USP is its beauty. I play the character of ‘Balraj Khurana’ who is the catalyst of the family. I agreed to be a part of the serial even though I knew that I would not be required for a long time by the production house since the subject essentially is about how the women folk in the cope up with their lives after my untimely demise in the serial.
How did you think of making a transition from films to TV early in your life when it was not considered fashionable?
I made my debut on television 21 years ago with the serial Pankhon Se Panjon Tak. I remember when I made the transition from films to TV after playing the lead as well as the villain; my colleagues in films scoffed at me and wondered whether I had gone insane. Even then most of the serials were women oriented. Like Ghutan, in which I played the role of ‘Gautam Berry’, Aur Phir Ek Din etc.
Do you feel that serials today tend to be more women-centric compared to what the scene was say 20 years ago?
Why in India, even abroad Desperate Housewives is the flavour of the season and not male-oriented serials. Everything changes in life, including serials depending upon the changing audience tastes and belling of the cat can turn out to be disastrous sometimes when you try to make a serial which does not adhere to the audience tastes.
Do you regret having made the transition from films to television?
No. You cannot shun progress, which television is. You have to learn to co-exist with television if you want to survive as an actor in this business. Today, television is even bigger than films with stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan readily agreeing to do game shows for TV. Today, though I have acted in around 400 films in a span of three and a half decades, I have to my credit as many as 5,500 episodes of various TV serials
What has been your growth as an actor over the years?
To tell you the truth, I have never tried to grow consciously. Things have happened as far as I am concerned, gradually. If in the course of 35 years I have not grown as an actor, then I think I have no right to be a part of the business of acting
Is it true that you are now working in a foreign film?
Yes. I have acted for the first time in a film which was made in English in the UK called Love Has No Language. I play the main character— a migrant of Indian origin who believes in preserving the culture of his country even though he lives abroad. Celina Jaitley plays the role of my daughter while Rati Agnihotri is playing the role of my wife. It has been made by the production house which had made Lord of The Rings and has been directed by Ken. I shot for the film in one stretch for 27 days in and around Auckland. It has been slated for world wide release in June this year.
Do you think you have been given your due by the film industry?
I think I have no reasons to complain. I have got more than whatever I have desired or deserved. If you desire a flat in Cuffe Parade, you will get it only in Lokhandwala, if you do not deserve it.
Is it true that you have acted in Bhojpuri films too besides your earlier stint in Gujarati films as a leading man?
If Amitabh Bachchan can do Bhojpuri films, why can’t I? I have acted in three Bhojpuri films in central characters though not in the romantic lead. They are Janam Janam Ke Saath, Dharam Veer and Saajan Pardesia.
Are your children keen on following your footsteps as an actor?
I have a son called Vikas and a daughter called Shrishti. I have already floated my own production house called Sainama Productions. Shrishti, who wants to be a filmmaker is looking after the production of our serial called Ashiana for Doordarshan. My son wants to be an actor, like myself and his grand father Jeevan saab. My wife Sushama was also an actress when I married her. My younger brother Bhooshan who is no longer alive now was also an actor. It is in his genes.
As per my advice, Vikas is now assisting Abbas-Mustan in direction and learning the ropes of the trade before he plunges into acting.
Where do you see yourself say five years later?
I have plans to launch my own films as producer-director. I want to make realistic films because I find there is a huge market for films like Bheja Fry and Mithya, now unlike earlier when only the hardcore mainstream films used to run. I myself had made my debut with K A Abbas’s film Boond Boond Pani, which was a meaningful and purposeful film before its time. Today alongside a Jodhaa Akbar, you can also make a film like Mithya.
