Indian television has been traditionally dominated by saas-bahu styled soaps. Even those which have started with a different storyline had to change focus and toe the saas-bahu line to see the sweet face of success. It is only recently that reality shows and some off-beat serials have started to change the power equation in the Indian television industry.

Case in point is NDTV Imagine’s Main Teri Parchhaiyan Hoon. And a big share of the credit for the success of this serial goes to its lead actor Sameer Dharmadhikari. Originally from Pune, Sameer is an old face in Bollywood having acted in a number of films including Satta, Raincoat and Agnipankh.

“Main Teri Parchhaiyan Hoon is my first Hindi serial. Though I have worked in a couple of Marathi shows earlier, this is my first foray into Hindi television shows,” says Sameer. But why suddenly television, since he was having a reasonably good run in the big screen. “Not too much good things are happening in the film world these days. And, when I was looking at options in the small screen, I got to know that Rajashree Productions was looking for their lead actor in Main Teri Parchhaiyan Hoon. I went and met them, they briefed me on the role which I found challenging. So, it clicked well for me and that is why you see me on television today,” explains the actor who entered showbiz through modelling. “At the same time, I must also clarify that I have not quit the big screen totally. I am doing two key films. Ketan Mehta’s Rang Rasiya is the first film where I am playing the king of Baroda, while the other film is Nishikant Kamath’s Mumbai Meri Jaan where I am acting with Soha Ali Khan,” says Sameer.

What is so special about his role in the Rajashree serial that made him decide in affirmative? “I am playing the role of a businessman in his late thirties. He is the father of three and when everything seems to be going right in his world, suddenly his wife passes away. A young teacher steps in their family to take care of his children. That is where the story stands today. Watch the serial to know more. I think the challenge to make a serial different from the run-of-the-mill and popular is what I liked the most,” explains Sameer.

What do you feel is the USP of this serial? Despite not being a saas-bahu soap, what was the key ingredient that made is such a big hit? “Frankly, I have never watched a saas-bahu serial. I am used to my mother, who is far away from the mother-in-law you see in these soaps. She doesn't wear a snake shaped bindi. My wife also is completely different from what you see in these serials. And they don’t conspire against each other (smiles). Neither do they fight. They are more interested in regional channels.

“So, I don’t think I will be able to tell you exactly why my serial scored over saas-bahu serials,” says Sameer. “At the same time, I must admit that Rajashri Productions’ approach towards a family and their values would have played a big role.

“Their treatment of Indian family values is so different.”

Sameer enjoys his shoots for the serial a lot, especially because of the presence of the children. “I have a five-year-old daughter and so I know what it takes to manage a child. But I must admit that bringing up girls is far easier than guys. In the serial, I have two boys and a girl. As expected, on and off-screen the boys are big brats.”

Sameer is a perfect family man after work. “My wife is a cinematographer and works with Balaji Productions. She is also working with the Pogo kids channel. Since we are from the same industry our levels of understanding are much better, and I am really lucky to have a wife like Aparna,” says Sameer.