‘Amrita (Pihu) is a little badmash’- Sameer Kochhar

We in talks with the intelligent, courteous, composed and jovial Sameer Kochhar who plays Rajat on Sony TV’s Bade Achche Laggte Hain. Like his on screen persona Rajat, Sameer is a perfect gentleman….

Now that Ram and Priya may come together again will your track gradually decrease?
Not at all as Ekta Kapoor will always keep the character of Rajat alive and kicking. He will continue to be a character of utmost importance. The show will invariably have two male leads. The family has gone through a roller coaster time. After many hits and misses Ram and Priya have finally met up. The TRP has also shot up with the both meeting. Bade Achche Laggte Hain will continue to be a slice of life show.

Rajat is having a hard time fathering Caddy, the daughter of his ex-girlfriend. Should he change his approach of fathering?
Caddy and Rajat don’t share a father-daughter relationship. Rajat had an older woman romance with Caddy’s mom. He is after all in his mid thirties and too young to be Caddy’s father. Every time he saw Caddy he was reminded of the lady he loved and lost. Rajat isn’t really good with teenaged kids. In fact, sometimes he is like an older brother to Caddy. At times he gives her a shoulder to cry on while sometimes he gives her fatherly advice.

I have a feeling that your ex-girlfriend will come back…
(Laughs) I should put you in touch with the writer of the show…

I already know the writer of your show…
(Laughs) If you get to know from the writer that she will return, please let me know as I will like to know.

I heard that the child Amrita Mukherjee who plays Pihu bonds very well with you…
Amrita (Pihu) is a little badmash. Actually, she is absolutely a doll. She recites nursery rhymes to me and I love to tickle her. She often comes to my green room and also shares her tiffin and has cold drinks with me. She has put on 4kgs very recently as she is growing taller too. I too was fat as a child. So many of my childhood memories come back to me when I see her. I tell her, “You are three years older than me.” I behave like a kid when with Amrita. I chase her saying, “Your mamma is my mamma.” I tell her mom that she should do just one or two shows as a child and lead a life as normal as possible. She should take up acting professionally when she grows up. She is a great kid and actress.

Which historical character would you like to play?
I would like to play one of the barbarian huns of Greece or someone from the Roman Empire. If I am to play an Indian historical character it will be Bheem as he was a strong guy who liked to eat good food.

What about the Indian TV industry would you like to change?
They should try out progressive instead of regressive themes. They should go beyond household soaps- have action and adventure fiction shows like they have in foreign nations.

What are your hobbies?
I like traveling- I recently visited Spain and France. I like playing my guitar and singing. I won prizes in singing at school level. Maybe I will take up singing professionally later. I also like the art of cooking- in fact I am learning to boil mutton and chicken- I think I am getting it right.