<p>Raghubir Yadav, who has been an integral part of the Hindi film industry, is in the limelight because of the much-hyped <em>Panchayat </em>that released on Amazon Prime a few days ago. The web series, which features the veteran in a strong role, has created a buzz on social media for all the right reasons. Speaking exclusively to <em>DH</em>, Yadav opens up on working in the digital medium, his professional journey and the current state of the TV industry.</p>.<p><strong>How was the experience of working on <em>Panyachat</em>?</strong></p>.<p>It was quite a good experience and reminded me of the Doordarshan days. We shot the series in two months but filmed just a few episodes. We filmed in real locations and this upped the recall value of the whole thing.</p>.<p><strong>How do you find Jitendra Kumar as an actor?</strong></p>.<p>I was not familiar with his work when I began Panchayat. He is a hardworking person and has a tremendous future.</p>.<p><strong>What encouraged you to take up acting?</strong></p>.<p>In a way, acting<em> mere gale pad gayi</em>. In my native place, boys are married off once they get a job after receiving basic education. I was not like this and decided to carve my own path. I joined the Parsi theatre company and earned my living. We performed in various cities and this helped me get exposure to acting.</p>.<p><strong>You have stayed away from ‘commercial’ cinema.</strong></p>.<p>Apni apni choice hai. I never made a distinction between the two and honestly you can’t commercialise art. I was offered a lot of comedy roles after Mungeri Lal Ke Haseen Sapne but turned them down as I did not want to be typecast.</p>.<p><strong>What is your take on the TV industry?</strong></p>.<p>Back in the day, we would do several rehearsals and dedicate plenty of time to each episode and character. In fact, in a way, we would live each role. Nowadays, it is just like a factory. So the quality has suffered.</p>.<p><strong>Are you working on any new songs?</strong></p>.<p>I am not working on songs right now but might do something in the future. Frankly speaking, back in the 1960s, <em>har cheez mein sur tha </em>(there was melody everywhere). But things are different now.</p>.<p><strong>Do you support the remix culture?</strong></p>.<p>It has become nothing more than a joke. Moreover, these remixes have a short life and are soon forgotten.</p>.<p><strong>Any professional regrets?</strong></p>.<p>I have always been choosy about the projects I take up and have no regrets about anything.</p>.<p><strong>What advice would you like to give to upcoming actors?</strong></p>.<p>Hard work is the key to success. An actor must know everything, so one needs to keep learning and honing his craft.</p>.<p>Read:<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/panchayat-review-bottle-gourds-comedy-and-believable-drama-fill-this-backwater-tale-with-life-820775.html"> 'Panchayat' review: Bottle gourds, comedy and believable drama fill this backwater tale with life</a><br /><br /> </p>
<p>Raghubir Yadav, who has been an integral part of the Hindi film industry, is in the limelight because of the much-hyped <em>Panchayat </em>that released on Amazon Prime a few days ago. The web series, which features the veteran in a strong role, has created a buzz on social media for all the right reasons. Speaking exclusively to <em>DH</em>, Yadav opens up on working in the digital medium, his professional journey and the current state of the TV industry.</p>.<p><strong>How was the experience of working on <em>Panyachat</em>?</strong></p>.<p>It was quite a good experience and reminded me of the Doordarshan days. We shot the series in two months but filmed just a few episodes. We filmed in real locations and this upped the recall value of the whole thing.</p>.<p><strong>How do you find Jitendra Kumar as an actor?</strong></p>.<p>I was not familiar with his work when I began Panchayat. He is a hardworking person and has a tremendous future.</p>.<p><strong>What encouraged you to take up acting?</strong></p>.<p>In a way, acting<em> mere gale pad gayi</em>. In my native place, boys are married off once they get a job after receiving basic education. I was not like this and decided to carve my own path. I joined the Parsi theatre company and earned my living. We performed in various cities and this helped me get exposure to acting.</p>.<p><strong>You have stayed away from ‘commercial’ cinema.</strong></p>.<p>Apni apni choice hai. I never made a distinction between the two and honestly you can’t commercialise art. I was offered a lot of comedy roles after Mungeri Lal Ke Haseen Sapne but turned them down as I did not want to be typecast.</p>.<p><strong>What is your take on the TV industry?</strong></p>.<p>Back in the day, we would do several rehearsals and dedicate plenty of time to each episode and character. In fact, in a way, we would live each role. Nowadays, it is just like a factory. So the quality has suffered.</p>.<p><strong>Are you working on any new songs?</strong></p>.<p>I am not working on songs right now but might do something in the future. Frankly speaking, back in the 1960s, <em>har cheez mein sur tha </em>(there was melody everywhere). But things are different now.</p>.<p><strong>Do you support the remix culture?</strong></p>.<p>It has become nothing more than a joke. Moreover, these remixes have a short life and are soon forgotten.</p>.<p><strong>Any professional regrets?</strong></p>.<p>I have always been choosy about the projects I take up and have no regrets about anything.</p>.<p><strong>What advice would you like to give to upcoming actors?</strong></p>.<p>Hard work is the key to success. An actor must know everything, so one needs to keep learning and honing his craft.</p>.<p>Read:<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/panchayat-review-bottle-gourds-comedy-and-believable-drama-fill-this-backwater-tale-with-life-820775.html"> 'Panchayat' review: Bottle gourds, comedy and believable drama fill this backwater tale with life</a><br /><br /> </p>
