Twenty years and counting

Sarath Das

Actor S

arath Das has remained evergreen for the Malayalam television audience by virtue of his talent and uncanny ability to breathe life into the wide range of characters he essays. He made a comfortable move from films to television and became one of the popular stars of the small screen. Son of the late Venmani Haridas, the veteran Kathakali musician, 36-year-old Sarath has got a huge fan following for his characters like Lord Krishna, Aladdin and the many affable heroes he has essayed in serials. Of late, he is trying his hand at comedy in ‘Kalyani Kalavani’, as a police officer. The actor looks back at his two-decade old career and how the industry has changed with time. Excerpts:

Television, over the years

In media, be it print or visual, the content is driven by profit these days. On television, it is TAM rating that decides whether a serial has to be on air or not. For the people who are running the show it is the end and not the means that counts. Even in a talk show, it is believed that you can earn more ratings if you can make participants cry or fight among one another. In fact, nowadays there is some amount of acting involved in everything you do in front of the camera for the small screen.

Personal journey

There was a time when serials were driven by strong storylines. I have been fortunate to work in some wonderful scripts that were serialised by accomplished directors. But in the last five years or so things have changed a lot. Now it is all about making the audience weep. When you look at some stories, it seems as if only women have sorrows and we men have none at all. (laughs). I have declined many such roles; characters who are expected to do nothing but watch the heroines cry buckets. I have become very choosy and have decided to take it easy. I am doing just one serial now and discussions are on for a new serial. I want to relax and spend more time with my wife and two daughters.

Comedy turf

I have handled comedy in ‘Angadipattu’, one of the best works of my career. The role in ‘Kalyani Kalavani’ is that of a police officer often caught between his bickering and manipulative mother and wife. It was a conscious decision to take up this role and I am enjoying it. I am tired of playing the suffering husband or lover. It is a fact that serials are a woman’s world and there is a limit to what actors can do. Luckily, I have done a handful of roles that have helped me carve a niche for myself and I look forward to doing such characters.

Cinema calling

I have no problem in doing roles that may not have a lot of screen time. But the problem is I am totally cut off from the present crop of filmmakers. I have been lucky enough to work with some of the best directors of Malayalam cinema such as Shaji N. Karun (Swaham, Swapaanam) , Hariharan (Ennu Swantham Janakikutty), Joshiy (Pathram), Kamal (Madhuranombarakattu), and Sibi Malayil (Devadoothan) . I sometimes feel that some of the new-age filmmakers have a light approach to cinema with the process itself becoming so very easy owing to advancements in technology.

Dubbing, music…

I have dubbed for actors such as Siddharth Bharathan, Nishan Nanaiah and Narain, besides dubbing for actors of dubbed movies. I have cut down on my dubbing assignments. As for music, it is always there in me and I would like to do something in future. I am also interested in writing scripts. Acting is my priority, but as part of my growth as an artiste, I might venture into other fields in the future.