‘Ekta Kapoor put my personality in Krishnaji’s personality’- Madhu Raj

Ram was once very attached to his step mother Niharika who would manipulate him. Now he is under the care of his biological mom Krishnaji who is nice and caring, however Ram still has angst against her….Please comment.
I don’t think that Ram harbours any angst towards his mother Krishnaji anymore. It was just in the heat of the moment that Ram reminded her that she hadn’t nurtured him in his childhood. Actually Ram loves and respects his mom. He has after all accepted her readily into his home. He simply is lashing out against anyone who is taking Priya’s side- that includes Krishnaji too.

Maybe your track could have been even more elaborate on the show…do you think you are being neglected?
I do not think that Krishnaji’s character has been neglected. There are after all so many side characters. They have to show all of us in turns in a way that all of the characters can be accommodated. In fact I am quite happy with my track on the show.

I feel Krishnaji is the perfect mother-in-law ever to Priya, maybe one of the best mothers-in-law on Indian television…
(Laughs) Nobody can be a perfect mother-in-law. I would say that she is a good mother-in-law.

Krishnaji prescribes the magic cream to anyone who is sad. Similarly have you recommended any cheer up therapy to others?
Ekta Kapoor put my personality in Krishnaji’s personality. I am a very cheerful and an active person. Though I am 69, I act in Bade Acche Laggte Hai and am also a Radio Jockey for the Community Radio in Pali Hill. I am a retired government official with Door Darshan. I am never depressed. I do crack jokes to cheer up people and try to inculcate positivity in them.

Did you prepare for this role?
No I didn’t have to prepare for this role because as I said before I am playing myself while essaying Krishnaji. The way Krishnaji is dressed is different from any other serial. When I look into the mirror while playing Krishnaji I simply see myself.

What has been the fan feedback to this role of yours?
Viewers love the show. I am not internet savvy. However my daughter Tarana gets lots of feedback through Facebook that viewers love me. In fact after my character gained popularity many old friends of my age group with whom I had lost contact with have contacted me. Also many people who aren’t my friends but are in my age group have contacted me too.

You are 69. Do you think a TV show with senior citizens as the main characters should be aired on national TV? Most serials have young people as the protagonists. Maybe in the morning and early afternoon when the children of senior citizens are at work and their grand children are at school, there could be a programme for them as they may be all alone at home…maybe senior citizens would like to watch a serial which deals with their problems…
In life you will be confronted with many problems. One just has to know how to deal with them and come up with one’s own solutions. I do feel that there should be shows catering to senior citizens. However channels don’t really want to do that. There was a show called Asara on Door Darshan which was on senior citizens.

What are your hobbies?
Reading, writing poetry, listening to film music, writing scripts, telling stories to kids, radio jockeying and I am also fond of plants, I just love a lot of greenery around me.

What about the TV industry would you like to change?
I feel that the shooting system should be far more organized and less hectic.