Taking the lead
Khuram Khan
They might not be the leads in their respective shows but their characters are as important and are often solely responsible for taking the story forward
Though the main leads of our daily soaps get all the limelight and media attention, often the secondary characters are responsible for carrying the story forward. They get as much screen time as the lead characters and often, their popularity is no less among the viewers.
In Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap, the evil prince Jagmal’s greed to be king and his hatred for Pratap keeps the show going, as Jagmal and his mother are forever plotting and planning. And Khuram Khan, who plays Jagmal, is brilliant.
Similarly, in Jodha Akbar, the love story of Salim and Anarkali is getting more screen time than Rajat Tokas, who plays Akbar.
Then in Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Ye, it’s Apoorva Agnihotri’s cute dadi who helps the hero and is his biggest emotional support. She is the one who keeps encouraging him to settle down with the newly single mother of two, played by Sonali Bendre. It’s a non-judgemental, positive character that has captured the hearts of the viewers.
We talk to a few of these actors about the characters they portray and whether they realise how important their characters are for the shows.
Actor Khuram Khan, who plays Jagmal in Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap on Sony Entertainment Television, says, “Actually, I had got an offer two-three years back. I had auditioned for the role and had been selected too. But somehow it did not work out. I am now 20 and more than happy about my character flourishing.”
About his personal life he says, “I am not so evil in real life (smiles)... I believe in a live and let live policy. But I am enjoying playing this mad guy who does anything and everything in front of his brother and other elders.
“In real life, I cannot do such things as my dad will surely throw me out of the house,” he laughs, adding, “I am happy to get enough screen space. Playing this negative role gives me ample chance to play with my mannerisms etc. I can’t say it’s a dream come true, because it’s just the beginning of my career.”
Usha Rana, the lovable dadi in Ajeeb Dastaan… meanwhile is an old hand in the profession. She says, “I am a theatre artiste from Delhi. I run theatre workshops and train children to act through my Shishya Kala Parishad. I have done a couple of films like Pinjar and a Hollywood film, The Making of Comedy.
About getting a role in Ajeeb Dastaan…, she says, “I had auditioned for the role and Ekta Kapoor liked it. Everyone has complimented my ‘cute’ looks in the serial. I have performed many characters till date, but this one has got the most appreciation.”
“The show will soon go off air and Ekta has promised that she will accommodate me in one of her upcoming shows or in one of her running serials like Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar.”
Ravi Bhatia aka Prince Salim in Jodha Akbar, meanwhile, knows how important his character is for the show. “I am happy to be in the limelight. When I auditioned, I was told that Salim was the hero. But the title suggests that the serial is about Jodha and Akbar. So he (Rajat Tokas, who plays Akbar) is the real hero. We are good friends and I am definitely not taking anything away from him. It’s just that the channel has decided to take Salim and Anarkali’s story forward.”
“I am enjoying my role and I am happy that the audiences like my performance,” he adds.
Sai Ballal portrays the evil MP, Bhaiyaji, in Udaan. This is another character that has ignited the audiences’ imagination. It’s thanks to Bhaiyaji’s evil plans that the show’s lead, Chakor, is kept constantly on her toes, thus taking the story forward.
Says Sai, “I would not know if it’s the tiff between me and Chakor that’s taking the show forward but I can say its Chakor all the way. Because of her the audiences are glued to the show. I remember I had visited a city in UP and someone came up to me and asked, ‘Have I seen you somewhere?’ As soon as he came to know that I play a part in Udaan, he instantly said, ‘Arre woh Chakor wala show’.”
“This is the first time I am playing such a naturally written character. It feels great. Chakor (Spandan Chaturvedi) is a really cute little girl; she is just six and very mischievous. However, when the shot is called she becomes the most serious girl. I love her and she comes running as soon as I enter the sets. I have to carry her on my shoulders everyday or she gets angry.”
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