‘Comedy has gained recognition’

You have been part of Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma since the beginning. Has the character influenced you in real life?

Yes, it has become an integral part of my life. I have improvised the character of Roshan Singh Sodi and can relate to it.

Are you comfortable with comedy or do you want to try other genres as well?

I have worked in the comedy genre for 10 years. So, I would surely love to work in a different genre now. But now I am also concentrating on films and by God’s grace, my movie will be releasing this year.

How good or bad is it for an actor to work in a long-running series?

You get so much respect if your show runs for a long time. So being part of the same show has only benefitted us. 

Comedy is an evergreen genre. Do you agree?

Yes. From the very beginning, comedy movies have been a super-hit. You can take the example of Golmaal of Amol Palekar ji and Chupke Chupke of Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra ji. 

What changes have you found in comedy actors over the years?

In the earlier times, there were supporting actors who did comedy but now the lead actors are doing comedy. The genre of comedy has gained recognition and popularity. 

Have you faced stereotyping?

I have never faced any kind of stereotyping. 

What are the pros and cons of being a comedian?

I think at times, people don’t take comedians seriously. They want us to make them laugh in any situation. So, they sometimes think that our reel and real-life characters are the same.