TALKING POINT with Cezanne Khan

Ill be playing the role essayed by Sanjeev Kumar in the original movie. Its a very exciting role and while its quite faithful to the original,it has been adapted to suit changing times,of course.

On why he keeps a low profile and being remembered as Anurag Basu

Your new show Seeta Aur Geeta will be a remake of the original Hema Malini starrer. What is your role in this show?
Ill be playing the role essayed by Sanjeev Kumar in the original movie. Its a very exciting role and while its quite faithful to the original,it has been adapted to suit changing times,of course. Since its a TV show,it obviously has to be quite long,so a few necessary changes have been made.

What attracted you to this role?
The fact that theyre remaking a movie like Seeta aur Geeta was in itself an attraction. Apart from that,Sanjeev Kumar was a fantastic actor who wouldnt want to play one of his roles?

The name of the show itself suggests that the female leads are going to be more important. Do you think the Indian TV industry sidelines male characters?
I wouldnt say that. Yes,most of the shows revolve around women and its their stories that most shows narrate. But I wouldnt say that female characters get more importance at the expense of the men. In fact,Kasauti Zindagi Kay was the love story of Anurag and Prerna – my role was very important there.

Speaking of which,do you think youll ever shrug off the mantle of Anurag Basu?
I dont even want to shrug it off. I worked very hard at that role for seven years. Im very proud of it and I want people to remember me as Anurag.

Why have you kept a low profile for two years?
Ive always kept a low profile. Thats who I am. I dont attend awards functions,I dont go to parties. I like to have my own space. Also,I didnt get any interesting offers. Why should I do the same kind of roles over and over?

Youve acted in two Pakistani serials Piya Ke Ghar Jaana Hai and Silsilay Chahat Ke. How different is the Pakistani TV industry from its Indian counterpart?
The technology here is obviously very advanced but apart from that,the same standards of professionalism apply. You wouldnt really know the difference between here and there,actually.

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Are there any movies in the pipeline for you?
I dont have any plans as such of leaving television. I enjoy working here. As a matter of fact,I did get a couple of movie offers,but again its a matter of how exciting a certain role is. If its not exciting,then Im not interested.

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

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TALKING POINT with Cezanne Khan

Ill be playing the role essayed by Sanjeev Kumar in the original movie. Its a very exciting role and while its quite faithful to the original,it has been adapted to suit changing times,of course.

Ill be playing the role essayed by Sanjeev Kumar in the original movie. Its a very exciting role and while its quite faithful to the original,it has been adapted to suit changing times,of course.