It146;s About Compatibility

8226; After 13 years of enacting Tumhari Amrita, why does your love affair with the character carry forward to sequel Aapki Sonia?Zulfikar...

8226; After 13 years of enacting Tumhari Amrita, why does your love affair with the character carry forward to sequel Aapki Sonia?
Zulfikar belongs to a world that is fast disappearing: he8217;s refined, emotional and not out to grab all he can. His very language is kind to the ear. If I can8217;t actually live by his values, at least I get a chance to enact them.

8226; Amrita completed Zulfikar. How would you describe your soulmate?
Someone you can empathise with, without working at it. More than agreeability, it8217;s about compatibility. Your opinions may differ but you8217;re like the edges of cogged wheels8212;perfectly matched.

8226; Why did you finally turn director with Aazar Ka Khwaab?
I8217;m just director by default. The play, a comedy based on Pygmalion, came together in precisely nine days8212;and our lead actress walked out five days before the premiere. I just offered to step in when things didn8217;t work out. It was really chaotic and our first run-through of the entire script happened only on the opening night!

8226; How would you shape out the perfect woman?
Laughs I wonder what Eve was like. And I8217;m sure Adam would have had something to say about that too. I think I8217;ll just make do with what exists.

8226; Are you more comfortable with comedies such as Aazar8230; and Ji Mantriji?
I was very disappointed that all the Ji Mantriji episodes weren8217;t aired. All of us can do with a little humour. And when it comes to politics, anything that eases the tension is welcome.

8226; Is it easy juggling three plays and a TV show?
It8217;s not bad. Aazar was just a combination of nervous energy. I don8217;t need to memorise lines in either Tumhari8230; or Aapki8230;, as it has to sound like letters being read. Even Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai has no formal script, it8217;s like a dinner-table chat. So not much preparation is required.

8226; Why did you give the suited anchor image a miss in Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai?
I8217;m comfortable in western wear too but am completely at home in my achkan. It depends on the guest8212;the host must never overshadow him/her.

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8226; What if the tables were turned?
I8217;d make a very boring guest! So every time it8217;s suggested, I politely decline.