Actor Arvind Vaidya, known for his roles in TV serials like Khichdi, and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, was recently conferred a Padma Shri award. The actor shares how overwhelmed he is by the honour.

“My phone has not stopped ringing since the announcement. Everyone back home, in Ahmedabad, is elated,” says the 85-year-old.

Having devoted over 60 years to his craft, the actor feels the recognition came somewhat late, “I feel it’s a bit late because the people who stood by me, who were the reason I got into this field, some of them are no longer here. Only my wife, who has been here for me through thick and thin, is still here.”

He credits his success to his best friend and guru, Jashwant Thaker, a key figure in establishing the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), “All these people have not only given me work but taught me the nuances of theatre and acting, I miss them.”

Opening up about his lifelong dedication to his craft, he says, “Today I am more comfortable with TV, but my love for theatre is intact. My son says, ‘you cannot take an actor out of a man’. I think that man is me. Agar acting nahin karunga toh main khatam, main zinda hi nahin rahunga.”

Sharing his excitement over the award, he adds, “I am waiting for the details about when and where I have to go. Apna Padma Shri lene kab lene jaan hain yeh pata chalega.”

In the TV show Tumm Se Tumm Tak, Vandana Pathak plays mother to Sharad Kelkar, who in real life is her age. So, does it bother her? “I was a part of Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, where I played an older character. For an actor, it is challenging to portray characters that are younger or older than their actual age. For me, that has never been an issue. In fact, it challenges the actor in me. I’m fine with playing mother to an actor my age,” she replies, adding, “I believe it is my background in theatre which has shaped this mindset.”

Viewers associate Vandana more with comedy because of her past roles, but she doesn’t feel she has been typecast. She says, “When Khichdi was on, people felt that I might get typecast in comedy roles, but I have done roles in other genres, too. So I don’t let these things bother me.”

Despite her three-decade-long career, Vandana says she still has the enthusiasm of a newcomer. “For an actor, if you are satisfied, then it’s over. I still have the hunger. I took time off from work when my kids were younger. I’ve managed to balance things well, and maybe that’s why I’m still here, working.”

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After an 11-year hiatus from daily soaps, veteran actor Vandana Pathak is back on the small screen with Tumm Se Tumm Tak. Known for her iconic roles in Khichdi and Hum Paanch, Pathak opened up about the shifting trends in Indian television and why she chose to return now. While her classic shows are fan favourites, she says she “rarely watches her old shows”. “Nowadays, because of Instagram, clips and videos are everywhere. It’s mostly Khichdi because the younger generation doesn’t know Hum Paanch as much.”

She admits that TV shows back in the day told “soulful stories”, and the shift from weekly to daily programming impacted content quality. “Change is natural. A weekly show had its own charm; people used to wait for a week. Now, we don’t have time.”

However, she remains optimistic, believing change will follow once viewers start seeking meaningful content. “Frankly speaking, I’m coming after such a long time. When you’re working in TV, you watch other shows. Even if you don’t, you know what’s happening. My father [Arvind Vaidya] is in Anupamaa, so I know about it. I cannot debate on content, but I feel there is a need for an arc.”

It’s become increasingly common for Indian entertainment to remake regional shows for wider reach. Tumm Se Tumm Tak, which marks Pathak’s return, shares thematic similarities with the Kannada show Jothe Jothiyali, which ran for three years.

When asked why channels prefer adaptations over original content, she shares, “It’s ultimately between the producer and the channel. Sometimes remakes don’t work, and sometimes they do wonders. Dubbed and adapted content can take actors far and reach out to larger audiences.”

While long-running shows often lead actors to complain about monotony, Pathak follows advice from her father to stay grounded. “My father says, ‘Take one scene at a time and live every day’. Even at 84, he shoots for 20 to 22 days a month. He enjoys it. And I’m just like that. I enjoy my work.”

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.”