Aasif Sheikh’s knack for providing comic relief

Aasif Sheikh

Ever since its inception back in the year 2015, &TV’s “Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain” has remained one of the most popular shows on Indian television. The credit, of course, goes to its creators as well as its stellar cast featuring the likes of Aasif Sheikh, Rohitashv Gour, Saumya Tandon, and Shubhangi Atre Poorey. Sheikh, who plays the witty Vibhuti Mishra, was recently in the Capital

Excerpts:

How did your acting journey begin?

Frankly speaking, I never thought of becoming an actor. I was a sportsman who played cricket at the state as well as national level. Due to board exams, I couldn’t go for selections as my father didn’t see a future in sports and that’s how my sporting career came to an end. After finishing intermediate, I got admission into hotel management but it wasn’t exiting enough for me. At the time I had few friends who were doing theatre at Sri Ram Centre. That’s how I started taking interest in drama. Finally, I landed up with a role in ‘Hum Log’ which proved to be a major breakthrough in my career.

How did you get associated with ‘Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai’?

Initially, the channel was a bit reluctant to cast me in the role of Vibhuti Mishra as they wanted a younger actor for the part. The age group they were looking at was 35-40 and so I didn’t fit in their scheme of things to begin. But the creative team convinced them that a mature actor would be better suited to the role. And so that’s how I got associated to the show. I am really grateful to the love that the people have given to the show and each one of us.

How do you look at the current state of Indian television?

There is no doubt that television has grown enormously but the most disappointing thing is that the content has suffered greatly, especially in the recent years. The variety is obviously lacking and also a mediocrity of sorts has crept in. The novelty is missing and as a result one gets to watch the same kind of shows over and over again. And, it’s not that the audience is not willing to accept the different shows but the content creators are somewhere reluctant to try their hands at new things. Also, we need to understand that the television audience is more rural now as the people living in the metros are more into the web-based content.

What is the secret behind your comic timing?

The thing with comedy is that you either have it in you or you don’t. In the least, you must have the ingredients to begin with so that you can develop it further. Feedback is also very important. Now, it is a gradual process and it cannot happen overnight. The more you watch others, the more you practice, and how frequently you reassess yourself is of paramount importance. That’s how I have been able to develop my comic timing.

What brings you to the Capital this festive season?

Being an actor we also have our social responsibilities and what better time to visit Delhi than the occasion of the Ramleela. Actually, I spent my childhood in Delhi and so I am quite used to the festivities here. Back in the days, we used to put up at Basant Lane near Connaught Place and in the evenings all the kids from the colony used to go and watch the Ramleela.