Rajesh Kumar on “Sarabhai Vs. Sarabhai 3”: “I Don’t Think It Is Going To Happen Soon” Everyone Is Busy In Their Own World, According To Rajesh Kumar

For the last 20 years, Rajesh Kumar has been one of the most well-known faces on television. He has gradually and steadily migrated to OTT over the last three years. He just created the second season of the wildly popular Amazon MiniTV series “Yeh Meri Family.”

Speaking with Prateek Sur, Rajesh Kumar discusses many topics, including switching from television to online streaming, joining the cast of “Yeh Meri Family 2,” the nostalgia of the 1990s in the show, working with TVF, and his wildly popular role as Roshesh from “Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai.” He also discusses whether the third season of “Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai” will ever air. Excerpts:

You’ve produced a couple OTT programs. What made you decide to start playing “Yeh Meri Family 2”?

The show’s simplicity convinced me to accept. Only us were affected by the nostalgia it intended to generate or that it really produced on a script level. also, the nostalgia for the 1990s. And, as you may know, we are now experiencing it. We agreed to “Yeh Meri Family 2” because of the idea of reliving. Moreover, it is a TVF program. Therefore, there is no room for error. That is the cause, then.

The first season had tremendous popularity. When it first came out, had you seen it? Or did you read the first chapter when you initially began discussing your potential role as the father in the follow-up?

I had just watched it when it first came out back then. And it was wonderful. It excelled. That absolutely deserves to be included since it was unique and you will never see anything like it. You really have to work hard to produce something like that. Therefore, you must unquestionably be an audience for a project like this, there and then.

The program revives nostalgia for the 1990s. What specific recollections do you have of the 1990s? Are there any memorable incidents from that decade that you can still clearly recall?

Because the 1990s were when I took my 10th and 12th grades, they were a time of intense nostalgia. And I completed my graduation.

The program focuses on the small-town atmosphere of the 1990s and the close relationships between children and their parents. Did any of the show’s scenes make you remember your own childhood?

Of course, the Fiat automobile. Those who had a Fiat vehicle or ambassador at the time, even if we did not. getting the impression that it is the world’s largest automobile while riding in it. Such a memory simply keeps coming to mind. similar to how I learnt to ride a bike. I was around 7-8 years old at the time. How did I learn to cycle and all of those other things? You saw the glimpse of being caught while playing truth or dare in so many different settings. When a mother or father enters the room when it is completely silent, you get frightened. You recall those things that have such a strong internal presence that they seem to be stored in our mental or bodily memories. It is something you cannot escape or ignore.

The program has appeared on Amazon MiniTV, one of the most well-liked OTT platforms in the present day. How do you see India’s OTT boom? Do you now get better offers or scripts than you did in the past?

Yes, it is now the most widely used OTT platform. It’s a terrific moment for all artists, not just actors, since there is so much excellent work available right now. You can no longer avoid writing. Poor performances are impossible to avoid. You must be really talented. You must constantly be on guard. As a result, everyone has to be on watch and provide right now more so than usual. Therefore, there is no danger that you would lag behind or fall behind in anything. Therefore, it’s a wonderful moment for everyone who is creative. Yes, I am receiving nice offers as a result. I’m receiving quality scripts. Fortunately, a few of them are both OTT series and OTT movies. You will see me more often and in other avatars now that those types of offers are active.

Since you appeared in “Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka,” you have gained enormous popularity as a TV celebrity. But you haven’t watched TV for the last two to three years. ‘Excuse Me Madam’ was the last thing I recall seeing you do on television. Are you intentionally attempting to cut down on TV and maybe turn to OTT or movies?

Wow. This brings up similar 90s memories. Yes, that was a deliberate choice. If not, I would have been aware of it for the last five years. “Excuse Me, Madam” just occurred. Working with farmers for the earth and for future generations, I was discovering the realm of true creativity that is farming. Therefore, that requires both time and a lot of concentration. It has taken form thanks to that initiative, which is currently ongoing. Now it operates automatically. I’ve now returned to this planet. However, everything has gained recognition and notoriety thanks to television. But in terms of creativity, I think that given the time we are in, filming a television program for a continuous 30 days would not be as exciting for me as merely filming for 20 days for one project before moving on to another and another. So it’s a fantastic moment. I’m simply trying to investigate it and keep my options open. So, undoubtedly. On OTT, quality work is being done and quality offers are pouring in. Therefore, there is nothing to say and no need to feel guilty about skipping television. So, certainly, be open to all ideas at all times.

I must inquire about “Sarabhai Vs. Sarabhai” before I leave you. Will Roshesh be shown more frequently?

As you can see, I purposefully relocated away from Roshesh. Because I was unable to comprehend Roshesh’s abrupt revival during Corona, I put on a lot of weight so that others would see me differently. When I wanted it, I couldn’t obtain excellent job or offers. I deliberately put on weight to shatter that image of myself. Thus, we will definitely ask them to at least have a Season 3 finale whenever the production company, the OTT platform, and all of the performers feel free enough to work on “Sarabhai Vs. Sarabhai.” However, it hasn’t been officially verified since everyone—including Sumeet Raghavan, Ratna Pathak, and Rupali—is preoccupied with their own lives. So this is the proper moment. It won’t happen anytime soon, in my opinion. I’m sorry to let you down (laughter).

What would ‘Yeh Meri Family 2”s’ main lesson be, in your opinion?

A tiny family with such simplicity, and the nicest part—and I know I’m being extremely conceited about this—is that I can’t do anything as an actor yet still manage to transmit everything. ‘Yeh Meri Family’ taught me the lesson. I just had to limit myself by not expressing myself too strongly emotionally and to be straightforward and authentic. I have thus used that aspect of myself as an actor. I’m removing it since it will offer me a foundation for my other projects.

What can we expect from many initiatives going forward?

In addition to a few additional OTT series, 4-5 films are scheduled. As a result, you will now notice a different avatar more often.