One can experiment a lot in the comic genre: Shilpa Shinde

The followers of Chidiya Ghar (Garima Productions) on SAB TV must have noticed that Shilpa Shinde aka Koel has not been around for the past few episodes. Curious to find out why, we called up Shilpa and she informed us that she was down with severe viral fever. The creatives graciously agreed to grant her a leave and she has not shot for them since the past 10 days. In the serial it is shown that Koel has gone away from the house.

“I will resume shooting in the next couple of days but it is up to them to reintegrate my entry according to the current track requirements.”

Shilpa who first came into prominence with Maayka – Saath Zindagi Bhar Ka is quite happy with the progress of Chidiya Ghar. “We have recently touched good numbers (over 2.5 TVR). We are the second most rated show on SAB TV after Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. SAB TV honchos are obviously quite happy with our performances.”

Coming to her character she says, “Unlike other genres which have growth in characters, we don’t have the same in comedy. What however is challenging in our show is that it is based on fewer characters. What we need is great tuning between us for instance the Koel and Mayuri jodi (Debina Bonnerjee) And the Babuji (Rajendra Gupta) and Gadha Prasad (Jitu Shivhare) one. We both need to work in tandem else the story won’t move ahead. If one is absent it does spoil the balance leading to pressure on the other.”

There are reports that Jitu is unwell and may quit the show. Will the exit of such a popular character affect the show’s fortunes? Shilpa replies, “No I don’t think it will affect the show, although he is a great actor and has created his own niche. But if he can’t continue due to ill health or some personal issues, the show must go on. The creatives have already introduced a younger version of Gadha Prasad and the public is beginning to appreciate him as well.”

Shilpa is in no hurry to return to the saas bahu sagas, “The comic genre is very vast. There is a lot more for you to experiment with. For instance if I lose my memory like my husband’s character Ghotak (Paresh Ganatra) did, I can play a child etc.”