Politicking8230;

He's been a familiar face in films for a long time now. And he was also part of the first super-successful tele-serial on the Indian boob ...

He8217;s been a familiar face in films for a long time now. And he was also part of the first super-successful tele-serial on the Indian boob tube: Buniyaaden Dalip Tahil found his career had been etched out for him in film, he put both theatre and television on hold, so as to carve a niche for himself in movies. Since the beginning of the year, he has featured in a handful of movies Kaho Naa8230; Pyaar Hai, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Chal Mere Bhai, Hum To Mohabbat Karega. Coming up, are interesting roles in E Nivas8217; Jackpot, Abbas Mustan8217;s Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, and Rajiv Rai8217;s Pyaar, Ishq, Mohabbat.

It8217;s a soap with a political backdrop. I play the role of a politician who is ethical, and who is a candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Having done a bit of television with Picture This where I talk about the different genres of movies and Buniyaad, I was keen to dabble in it again.

Isn8217;t television considered a bit of a come-down for someone who works in films?
I don8217;t think so. TV is huge today. Its reach is massive, and everyone is on television, be it Naseeruddin Shah, Rajesh Khanna or Amitabh Bachchan. I had considerable faith in producer Bobby Bedi that he8217;d maintain standards and make a good show because I8217;d already worked with him on Bombay Blues, a six-part TV series for Channel Four, London. Also, I liked the idea of shooting in Delhi with the background of politics. I thought it might be interesting. This thing about TV being a step down is only in people8217;s minds. TV is the strongest medium in the world today. I took it up because I liked the role, I liked the production and the fact that it was for TV, was fine with me.

Doesn8217;t it get difficult trying to balance your television assignments with your film commitments?
Not really. In fact, it helps keep you mentally fine. It8217;s a relief. You know, how doing a bit of theatre relieves you at a time when you have been working in film for long hours8230; Similarly, doing films after doing TV is welcome. And TV too, is an experience of its own, particularly because it brings you so close to people. I studied in Sherwood in Nainital, where cultural activities were encouraged in a big way. I was always into singing. I8217;d be very disappointed if for any reason I couldn8217;t sing. So, doing musical plays allows me to sing and act, while films have their own high. TV, on the other hand, has a massive reach which has to be enjoyed in order to be believed. If I had limited myself to films only, I guess I8217;d always have fealt cheated. Today, with so many mediums opening up, everything is available, and I8217;m delighted to dabble in all of them.

8212; Lata Khubchandani