(L-R) Niharika Chouksey and Sharad Kelkar in ‘Tumm Se Tumm Tak’

Acting is his forte, regardless of the character he plays. Sharad Kelkar, who returns to television after eight years, is excited to explore his romantic side — one he rarely gets to showcase onscreen. In Tumm Se Tumm Tak, the actor plays a 46-year-old business magnate who falls for a spirited 19-year-old. Ask him why, and Kelkar says it was the perfect choice for his comeback to TV. While many are surprised by the age gap between the lead characters, he maintains, “It proves that when two hearts truly connect, age is just a number.” In conversation with mid-day, he discusses his evolution as an actor, why television should be viewed purely as a source of entertainment, and why no amount of money is worth losing his peace of mind. Excerpts from the interview.

I have always strived to do things I have never done before. Of course, there are times when you end up doing similar things because the scale of the project is huge, especially in films. Sometimes, it is the story that intrigues you — even if you are repeating a character — but I try to do it as differently as possible. I’m ideally a director’s actor; I never go to the monitor to watch my shots. The director knows what he is shooting and what I’ve done, and he will tell me if it needs to be reshot. Who am I to judge? In fact, I welcome such criticism because it’s good for the project and for me.

It has been amazing throughout my career. Most of my roles have been unexpected — roles I never thought I would get to portray. Director Nishikant Kamat was the first to see me in a negative role when I was doing positive characters in TV shows. He offered me Lai Bhaari [2014]. If you go into the interiors, they still call me Sangram [his character in the film]. I don’t know how Om Raut decided to cast me as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in [Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, 2020]. Then there’s Raghava Lawrence, who chose me for Laxmii [2020]. I think I’ve been blessed to receive such different and unexpected roles.

Actually, someone said that I’m the highest-paid on TV after Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. Maybe in fiction shows, yes, but I still feel Smriti [Irani] would be the highest-paid actor. Rupali [Ganguly], who is doing Anupamaa, must be on the list. And Shabir [Ahluwalia] would be on the list too. However, I cannot be sure.

It is one of the important aspects, I won’t deny it. If I am getting it, why not? When I do films, if you start doing them only for money, you may get two or three projects — then nobody will call you. Your work has to be substantial, earn that place in the industry, and be dependable. Money is still secondary. Sometimes you compromise; at times, you [demand] more if you’re in a better position. I have done a lot for friends. Money is important, but my peace of mind takes priority.

I haven’t seen the show. We spoke about it; the pace of our show is faster than that of the other. If people start liking it, then I may consider it. How can I decide in advance? I don’t sell my life that easily [laughs]. My contract, for now, is only for a year, which is standard policy. The show is divided into two tracks. As per the tagline, it is the meeting of two worlds. The advantage I have is that I don’t have to shoot for 20 to 25 days at a stretch. I get time to do my films, go on holiday, and spend time with my family.

This is a fictional story. Everything should be seen from the right perspective. You cannot expect comedy from a film like Aligarh [2016]. I feel films are not meant to improve society. They are stories. They can’t be real. We are selling dreams, not [shaping] moral codes.

Parents are spending money to send their children to school and colleges, but instead of getting influenced there, why is the onus on films, shows, and actors to guide or influence people the right way? These are just for entertainment. Inspiration should be only about the craft; the rest is fictional. I feel their perspective is wrong. How many of us would say, after watching Mirzapur, that we want to be like Kaleen Bhaiyaa? But someone who already has that instinct will obviously get influenced. We are not putting the idea there. It’s not like people started honour killings after watching movies and shows.

Actor Sharad Kelkar, who has returned to television after eight years, tells us that a lack of ‘interesting’ projects kept him away from TV.

“It wasn’t like I wasn’t being offered many TV shows; there was nothing too interesting to have caught my eye, but the current concept felt different and interesting, and I couldn’t refuse,” the 48-year-old says, adding, “Saying I was away from television is just one way to put it. Film work demands full commitment — you have to be ready at a moment’s notice. That’s one of the main reasons I didn’t take up daily shows. Also, I didn’t want to do just any character. I needed something that would challenge me.”

Over the years, the actor admits that the television industry has undergone a major transformation. “Earlier, TV shows ran for years. Now, episodes are just 23 minutes long and attention spans have shrunk. Even the casting dynamics have changed. It’s not just about talent anymore — it’s often about social media numbers,” he says.

In the show titled Tumm Se Tumm Tak, Sharad plays a businessman, who falls in love with a younger woman. However, after the promos dropped, there was backlash for the age gap relationship between the two leads.

He brushes off the trolling, saying social media often fuels unfair criticism. “Unless you’ve made a good film or added value to the industry, I don’t think it’s fair to tear someone else down. I take it [the backlash] with a pinch of salt and move on,” he adds.

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.”