Shalini Saksena speaks with Saanand Verma and Akshay Patil who play Saxena and Pelu respectively in the show. Excerpts

What is Saxena’s character all aboutIJ

Saxena is a psychopath most of the time. At other times, he is a normal person you will find in a small town. Though there is some sadness to his character, he brings in a lot of positivity — he is smiling and laughing all the time. This is what makes his character so lovable and likeable. Then there are his eccentricities — wanting to take shocks or getting slapped and saying ‘I like it’ and getting a squint. People love this.

How many times have you been slapped in the showIJ

Around 1,332 times! But who is keeping track. Each slap has a story and a message behind it but even when it happens it evokes laughter because of the situation and circumstances leading to it.

How did this character come to lifeIJ

I am not the kind of person who likes doing episodic shows. Saxena was supposed to be there for only one episode. But people loved him so much that I’m still associated with it and loving every minute.

Do you find a connect with SaxenaIJ

My life has been full of downs. I’ve been working since I was eight. and seen some very bad days. Yet I find a silver lining in everything. This is what I bring to life as Saxena — to be positive in every situation. The character has become so integral to me that even when I’m not shooting and say ‘I like it’, I end up with that squint and expression.

Tell us about Pelu, the rickshaw pullerIJ

He is one of the many characters who walk in and out of the lives of the main protagonists. He is seen every time Tiwari or Vibhu are having a tête-à-tête. In that sense he knows all their secrets. He also drives other characters around like Tiwari’s mother, sometimes Angoori’s father when he doesn’t come on his scooter. He is the kind of person you will find everywhere.

How did the inspiration for his character comeIJ

Sometime back I was in Delhi and I came across this rickshaw wala. I was talking and he just kept a straight face. At the end of the ride, he just smiled. As for the name, it was given by Aashif Sheikh.

Why does he not speakIJ

 like Saxena, Pelu was only supposed to be there for one episode. I am the executive director and I take charge when Shashank Bali is not there. There was need for a rickshaw puller so Bali asked me to just stand in one corner and smile in the end. This found a connect and I became a permanent fixture. As for the little slips, there was a scene —mushaira — where every one was invited. Every one wanted to know how Pelu would speak. It was then that Pelu takes out a parchi. That became an instant hit. The fact that he has a slip every time a question is asked, which sometimes doesn’t make sense, adds to the overall comedy.