TALKING POINT with kanwaljit singh

I play a happy-go-lucky chap who has three sons and badly wants to have a daughter. Its not like he doesnt love his sons,but he feels like having a daughter would complete the family.

The veteran actor is being seen after a long hiatus in Sabki Ladli Bebo

Youre being seen on television after a very long time. What is your character like in Sabki Ladli Bebo?
I play a happy-go-lucky chap who has three sons and badly wants to have a daughter. Its not like he doesnt love his sons,but he feels like having a daughter would complete the family. Daughters are generally considered more loving and this show is about a family that is overjoyed when they finally have a daughter.
Im a father myself and I know how it feels. I have two sons who I love very much and who mean the world to me,but I also feel blessed to have a daughter.

Given the situation in our country where the sex-equation is unfavourable to girls,is the show trying to send out a message?
Were not trying to be preachy. Were not telling people that girls are better than boys or anything. All were saying is that it doesnt matter whether you have a son or a daughterultimately,even girls are doing as well as boys in all areas of life and theyre equally capable of supporting their parents.

Why did you take such a long break from television? The last memorable role we saw you in was Saans.
I didnt actually take a break. I did do a few roles here and there and a few big shows like Family No. 1 and Daraar. The problem was that these shows all overlapped with Saans. Besides that,I also worked on a few Hindi and Punjabi films.
On television,one of the main reasons that I was pushed into the background was because men half my age were playing roles written for men my age. Theyd just put on a wig and go ahead. That looks ridiculous,because for any show,half the work is done if the casting is right.

What attracted you to your role in Sabki Ladli Bebo?
The fact that it was well-written. There are very few shows left which really pay attention to good writing which is really sad,because television is essentially a writers medium.

In all your years in the industry,youve seen it grow and evolve into something quite formidable. Do you like what you see?
In the old days,nuance was very important. But those were the days of weeklies,where a director had the leisure to look into subtleties. These days,even the sitcoms are dailies and I suppose thats where the money is. But that doesnt leave much scope for a nuanced story since what we shoot today is telecast tomorrow or day after.
Another problem Ive noticed is that stress levels have increased. People are working round the clock. They let me go at 9 pm,but a lot of younger actors are working till 3 am. If this goes on,well probably end up going to work in ambulances.

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

TALKING POINT with kanwaljit singh

I play a happy-go-lucky chap who has three sons and badly wants to have a daughter. Its not like he doesnt love his sons,but he feels like having a daughter would complete the family.

I play a happy-go-lucky chap who has three sons and badly wants to have a daughter. Its not like he doesnt love his sons,but he feels like having a daughter would complete the family.