Film and TV star Sharad Kelkar is returning to the small screen after a well-earned break. He is solving murders in and as Agent Raghav and is having a great time at it.
A cool character: Sharad says, “Yes, I was on a break. After working day in and day out, it feels great to go on a six months’ break.” Talking about how he landed the role, he adds “I got a call from the channel for the look test and I gave a short audition. I am always looking forward to performing different as well challenging characters. And I really mean it when I say different.”
“When I received the call I thought to myself, ‘I have now got the opportunity to do something different,’ and decided to take it up.” About the character, he adds, “The character personifies coolness and simplicity. Unlike the other crime shows where the character is always tensed, Raghav enjoys his family life as a normal guy. He cracks jokes like everyone else. He is never worked up like we see in other shows. This guy is relaxed but he uses his brains to solve the mysteries.”
“I have observed people and have picked a leaf or two from them which ultimately helped me in portraying my character. Frankly speaking, as actors we get the details from the director and the story, thus as performers we only have to give our best.”
Indians need emotions: The show, Sharad says, is not a copy. “It is not based on any Hollywood show. Anything that does not relate to us Indians can never work here. Indian audiences prefer stories with a pinch of emotion. Needless to say the story caters to that,” he says. Talking about the emotional aspect of the show, he says, “The show will have romance, but it is not the highlight. It is probably one sided.”
Family life: His wife, Keerti is an fellow actress, though she, too, has taken a break after the birth of their daughter. “If Keerti wants to continue with her profession, I am no one to restrict her. I have never objected to her continuing work. As her husband, I am there to support her,” he says. “She is of the opinion that this is the time when our daughter needs her mother, so she decided to take a break. I do take time out when I can to spend time with them. Since my home is near where we shoot, my wife and daughter do come over to the sets sometime during lunch, so that we can steal some togetherness.”
The Ram Leela connect: Among the films Sharad has acted in, the standout has been Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram Leela, where he played Deepika’s brother Khanji Bhai. Talking about working with the great director, he says, “I had heard stories about him being short tempered and yelling on the sets… but the atmosphere was always peaceful when I was working with him.”
Talking about another memorable experience, this one involving Deepika, he says, “I was to perform a dance sequence with Deepika and Ranveer Singh. At that time I was undergoing physiotherapy and my doc had advised me not to perform any rigorous action and dance scenes... Also, I am not good at dancing at all. I told them to give me some more time to get the hang of the steps. But we were running short of time.
I remember during our lunch hour, Deepika saw me all worked up, she simply told me not to worry and took me on the dance floor and made me dance along with her. I was taken aback with her humble gesture of making me feel comfortable. “Unfortunately, I was unable to be a part of Bajirao Mastaani owing to some date issues. However, I am looking forward to working with SLB in his future films.”
About Hero: Sharad is playing Sanjeev Kumar’s character in the remake of Hero, starring Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty. “I was being compared to Sanjeev Ji, which I think is not justified at all. I have not watched him (in the original) and performed like him because I know he was and is a legend,” he says.
All praises for the debutants — Sooraj and Athiya — he adds, “I must say these kids are really interested in their profession to the core. Being their first film and watching their dedication, determination and devotion I can only say both of them will go a long way. Director Nikhil Advani has made them do amazing stuff.”
He, however, is a bit crestfallen as he did not get to meet Salman Khan (the film has been made under his banner) as he did not visit the sets.
Sharad is also doing a biopic on late politician Gopinath Munde. About the role, he says, “I have tried to work on his walking, talking and mannerisms. Hope I will be able to do justice to the biopic which is all set to release sometimes in August next year.”
