Last year, even after shoots were allowed to resume, the government guidelines had barred senior actors above 65 years from shooting due to Coronavirus. Later, when things got better, the dadidadas and nana-nanis joined the shows. However, now with the surge in cases and the recent stalling of shoots in Maharashtra, after which TV shows have shifted base to other cities, senior actors will again go missing from daily soaps.

Production houses feel it’s safer not to have them travel to different locations in the current scenario. Hence, storylines are being tweaked to justify their absence for now. The actors are naturally unhappy, but they understand that it is in their interest.

Senior Wagles, Aanjjan Srivastav and Bharti Achrekar from Wagle Ki Duniya - Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey, are not travelling to Silvassa, where the shooting is currently taking place. Srivastava says, “I am eager to get back on the sets, but what can we do? Many crew members had tested positive earlier, and though they have tested negative now, I feel it is better to wait till the situation improves.” Ghanshyam Nayak, aka Natukaka of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, says, “I miss being on the show, and I hope that they start my track as soon as things improve. But the situation is scary, and I can understand why they are delaying my entry.”

Some actors themselves have chosen to stay away. Like theatre and TV actor Arvind Vaidya, who’s a part of Anupamaa, has informed the production house that he will not shoot for the show till the COVID situation improves and the production house has also supported his decision. He says, “Many people from the team tested positive a few weeks ago. Since I had tested negative, I continued shooting for a while. I have to look after my health, so I informed the production house that I won’t be able to shoot. Sometime later, after the state government imposed restrictions, the shoot was shifted to Silvassa. I am a senior actor and if I want to continue living a healthy life, it is important that I don’t travel to another location or shoot in the current situation. I am happy that the production supported my decision.”

Anupam Shyam, who plays an important role in Mann Ki Awaaz — Pratigya 2, has also refrained from travelling to Silvassa. He says, “I have health issues and everyone is aware of it. I have to undergo dialysis and so it’s not possible for me to relocate to another city. I will resume when they come back here.”

Himani Shivpuri, who is currently seen in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, feels that it’s best to be patient in the current situation. Shivpuri, who had tested positive a few months ago, says, “It is scary to step out and relocate to a different city right now. Last year, I got COVID-19 because I continued shooting and did not want to hamper work, but this year, I will have to wait and see how things go.” Some of the senior actors, who took their first dose of vaccination, are now waiting to take the second.

Swati Chitnis, who plays Kartik’s grandmother in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, says, “I am waiting for my second jab and if I travel outside, how will I take it? I don’t want to delay the vaccination process. I am happy that the production has supported me in this decision. I tested positive last year and I want to follow all safety protocols because of my age.”

Moving to a new place can be very inconvenient for the senior actors, makers say. Producer J D Majethia says, “I don’t think it is safe for them to travel outside Mumbai during the pandemic. Also, it may not be very comfortable there like it is on the set, where we shoot with an airconditioner. So, during summer, it is avoidable. Secondly, if the shoot is at a resort, it requires a lot of walking around. The food, too, may not be right for senior citizens. We will wait to see how things pan out after a week or two.”

Over three decades after his career-defining role in Wagle Ki Duniya, Aanjjan Srivastav is reliving his character in Wagle Ki Duniya - Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey. He has started shooting for the rebooted version and hopes “it appeals to today’s youngsters and I live up to the expectations.”

At 73, Srivastav features in the upcoming Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and in the second season of the web series, Out of Love. “I will continue acting for as long as I can,” says the actor, who was last seen on the small screen in Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha (2012). “Shooting for a daily television show is hectic,” he admits, adding that despite his “diabetes and blood pressure, I am managing”, which includes the daily commute to the set at Mira Road. 

The show, penned by Aatish Kapadia and directed by Sameer Kulkarni, takes a time leap forward with the new generation of the Wagles. Besides Srivastav, the show features veteran actor Bharati Achrekar, who also featured in the original, Sumeet Raghavan, Pariva Pranati, Sheehan Kapahi and Chinmayi Salvi. “The series will continue to portray the daily life and issues of middle-class, keeping [the show’s] true essence intact,” says Srivastav, who now plays the retired Wagle with his son, played by Raghavan. “Initially, when producer J D Majethia approached me, I had my reservations about doing television again. But there was no way I could refuse Wagle Ki Duniya,” says the senior actor.

The original, which ran from 1988-90 on Doordarshan, was directed by Kundan Shah. “I had been part of his earlier sitcom, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, which led me to be part of Wagle. Later, Kundan cast me in all his projects. I owe my career to him,” says Srivastav, adding that cartoonist-writer R K Laxman was involved at every step of the making, while V Shantaram gave claps. Among those who did a cameo in the show was Shah Rukh Khan, who agreed to be part of the sitcom while prepping for Kabhi Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994).

For over half a century, R K Laxman’s daily cartoon strip in The Times Of India, You Said It, and his bespectacled, balding, dhoti-clad, middle-aged ‘Common Man’ who epitomized the dreams, aspirations, foibles and troubles of the average Indian, was an integral part of our lives. And in 1988, the iconic character was interpreted in a sitcom, Wagle Ki Duniya, with Aanjjan Srivastav portraying the common man and Bharati Achrekar as his wife.

Thirty-two years later, the show is set for a revival on Sony SAB with Sumeet Raghvan stepping up as the new Wagle. “When Aatish (Kapadia, writer-producer) and J D (Majethia, producer) approached me, I was happy to give my nod to a show I had grown up watching,” says the actor.

Calling it TV’s “best era”, Sumeet rued that his children, who are in their twenties, have never heard of Wagle. “I’m giving them a piece of my childhood,” he says, revealing that he will be playing Aanjjan and Bharati’s son, and the veteran actors will be returning too. “Their presence will filter out any criticism. Having them is like getting a 200-run lead in a cricket match,” he laughs. Sumeet agrees that the challenge will be to make the show relevant in today’s times since the issues faced by the common man have changed and luxuries like a maid, a car, or going to the movies have become necessities now.

“We will continue to keep it simple so people can relate to it. It will be a tightrope as I have big shoes to fill,” he admits.

The year 2021 is Laxman’s birth centenary and Sumeet believes there could be no better celebration than bringing back the legendary ‘Comman Man’. “Aatish is a brilliant writer who has conceptualized amazing characters in Khichdi, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, and Baa Bahoo Aur Baby. Having him in our team is our biggest advantage. We also have some Marathi writers who are well versed with local households and help us make the show more authentic. For instance, I pronounce Wagle with a Marathi enunciation,” he avers.

It has been a while since Sumeet was last seen on TV. Point this out and he says he likes taking a break of a couple of years between shows when he is busy with theatre. “I don’t want to be seen every day. I like to be exclusive. I like to be missed,” he chuckles, informing that they start shooting from December-end. The show starts airing in the new year, towards the end of January. “This will be a New Year gift to myself and everybody else.”