Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 20, 2020)

After playing Dadi and Nani in Kapil Sharma’s comedy shows, Ali Asgar will next be seen playing Emperor Akbar in Star Bharat’s new fiction comedy, Akbar Ka Bal Birbal. “I always wanted this character in my resume. The show reveals how the Mughal Emperor was scared of his wife and had a lazy child. He was an able administrator but helpless at home, and how he and Birbal dealt with it, with humour as their only weapon,” says the actor, admitting that the first day of shoot was scary. “I didn’t even know how to have tea without risking infection. I have isolated myself from my family and haven’t had any meals with them since I returned to work.”

The actor informs that he was also offered a part in Sunil Grover’s Gangs Of Filmistan, but couldn’t accept. “Had it not been for Coronavirus, you would have seen me on that show as well. Once we get back to normal, I’ll do something there for sure,” he promises, adding that he also features in Salman Khan’s Radhe. “I shot for just four-five days, there’s still some shooting left; I’m excited to share screen with Bhaijaan.”

He’s still remembered as Kamal from Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and rues that it’s been a while since he did a drama. “But no one offers me such roles. I refused work for nine months before Jeannie Aur Juju as I didn’t want to get typecast. Then, Comedy Nights With Kapil happened and it was a rage,” he asserts, saying he’s still open to playing feminine characters, if a good offer comes his way.