Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi has returned to TV once more with Y.A.R.O. ka Tashan on Sab TV. He tells PRAKRITI ROY why he chose this show and why he doesn’t do too many TV shows any more
Tell us about your character on Y.A.R.O. ka Tashan.
I’m a professor of Mathematics as well as a scientist. He doesn’t have any child of his own but his wife really wants one. So he creates a robot child. But it becomes very difficult for the child to survive. So he makes a full grown man and takes care of him as his own child.
What made you choose this show?
First, I liked the scientist concept. That gave me something new to do. Second, I felt that Sab TV is known for its humour and that is something I can contribute to. Finally, I don’t do shows which take up 25-30 days in a month and leave me with no time for anything else.
You have struck a balance between theatre and TV…
I’ve been doing both for 35-40 years now, so I’ve had a lot of practice. I can’t continue doing TV for so long as you lose connection with the outside world. But theatre is more charged. Right now, my play Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Thha starring Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta is doing so well and has travelled all over the world.
What about films?
In the past one or two years, I’ve not done many films. The biggest reason is that the casting is done by the new crop of casting directors, none of whom I know. Moreover, if there is a big star, I am asked to adjust my dates accordingly.
How has the TV industry changed since you first started working in it?
Earlier, TV was creatively driven and satisfying. Now, it is TRP driven. There was no channel interference earlier and that’s changed now. But I am a positive person. So I believe that you’ve gotta change with the times.
What do you think of the overall content of TV now? Do you think makers have a moral responsibility?
The audience gets what it deserves. If there are women who enjoy watching certain shows, we can’t do anything. There is regression in our thought. As for moral responsibility, who am I to say? There is a phase for all kinds of shows and there is place for all kinds of content. Personally, I will never watch shows that have snakes and witches, but people do enjoy it. I think it’s a passing phase, though. These shows cater mainly to the small town audience who enjoy average stories and C-class novels.
What do you think of film content?
It’s great. We’ve certainly done away with the old formula where the sister of the hero was raped and he had to take revenge for it or for his father’s murder. Now, there is content-driven cinema that is also technically advanced. Filmmakers today can tell stories. Look at Bajirao Mastani, I loved it. But we definitely still can’t get over our taste buds. Our heroes still break into song. But overall, it’s much more realistic now.
The article also got published in The Pioneer Newspaper – http://www.dailypioneer.com/show-time/tv-serials-are-trp-driven-today.html
