I enjoy comedies, but I would love to do more serious roles now: Tiku Talsania

Tiku Talsania, who was in Ahmedabad recently to promote his new Gujarati OTT show What The Fafda, says that the city holds a special place in his heart. He shares, “I started my career about five decades ago (in 1976) with Gujarati plays in Ahmedabad and so, the city will always remain special for me. I have some great memories and I love the city. God willing, I may even come and live here in future.”

‘Actors usually get typecast in any medium’

Talsania, who has played a lot of memorable characters in films, which includes comedies like Andaz Apna Apna, Hungama, Dhamaal and Dhol, to name a few, says that while people tend to associate him with the genre, he would “love to do more serious roles now.” He tells us, “In Duty (1986), which starred Govinda and was among the first films that I had signed in my career, I played the main villain. I have also done serious roles in films like Devdas and played very serious characters in my plays. However, in this industry, actors usually get typecast in any medium. It’s tough to make people laugh, and I enjoy doing comedies. There are times when people approach me and say, ‘We have got a serious role for you. But if you agree to do our project, we will add a little bit of comedy’. I have auditioned for a very serious role in an OTT project and I hope that it works out.”

He adds, “OTT has completely changed the viewing patterns of the audience and they want to watch content on their mobiles now. However, I don’t think movie theatres will become irrelevant. Films mirror our culture and they should be watched by people in theatres. When Doordarshan started telecasting films on Sundays, a lot of people had predicted that theatres would decline, but that didn’t happen. Any medium that is good will never die.”


‘If I get a good role, I am open to doing more TV shows’

Right from Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984) to the more recent Sajan Re Phir Jhooth Mat Bolo (2017-18), the veteran actor has done some memorable TV shows too. Asked about whether he is open to doing another TV show, he says, “If I get a good role, I will certainly take it up. However, I feel that TV serials have taken a hit due to OTT, where audiences have the luxury of choosing from so much of great content.”

On doing Gujarati films

I enjoyed doing the film Vaahlam Jaao Ne last year and I have another interesting Gujarati film (Om Sweet Home) in the pipeline. I am glad to see Gujarati films doing well. However, I feel that makers are still finding their feet and the industry’s best is yet to come.

On his love for theatre

Theatre is my first love and I am waiting for a good script to do a play again. Anybody who says that he/she does not find time for theatre is lying. If you love doing plays, you will always find time for it.