AMAR UPADHYAY, who will be seen in Colors’ new offering Molkki, which will go on air from November 16, speaks with MUSBA HASHMI about his role, how the industry has changed in the last two decades and that he can’t play a spineless character

What is your role in Molkki?

I play Virender Pratap Singh, he is the mukhiya and runs 40 villages. He gets married to a molkki girl, who is half her age. There is no connection between the two and the show revolves around their struggles and how he handles situation. Molkki is a tradition in Haryana, where the man has to buy the bride from outside the State because women are less in number. The tradition is good but it is being misused.

How is this different from Dharam Suryavanshi in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya?

There is a major difference between the two characters, apart from the fact that both Dharam and Virender get married to a much younger girl. Both the shows and the stories are different. Dharam wanted to take revenge from the Modi family, hence he married Meera, but here it is a different concept. Molkki is a tradition that Virender has followed. In Molkki, a poor girl has been bought by a super rich family and the story talks about how things change drastically in their lives.

What is your take on shows that give out a social message?

It is good. Even for Molkki, I didn’t know that such a tradition does exist. I had to do my research. Through, the show we are getting to know about this old tradition in Haryana. Hence, there is a need to come up with more shows that give out a social message to bring in awareness.

How does it feel to be back to work after lockdown?

I was very excited for the show. After spending so many months at home, it was something I was looking forward to. When I was offered this show, I found myself to be lucky to be able to work after the lockdown was lifted. Also, I am back on Colors after Bigg Boss 5, so it does feel great.

From Dekh Bhai Dekh to Molkki, how has your experience been?

Brilliant. I feel lucky to have started working so early and that I am still working. When I got Dekh Bhai Dekh, I had no idea of what was happening around me. It was like an acting school for me. Till date, 95 per cent of my shows have been Number 1. It has been a long journey and I have no complaints at all. I have got to play brilliant characters, there is nothing I could have asked for more. Yes, this industry is demanding and one needs dedication to survive here. You have to work for 12 hours a day, but having said that I have enjoyed every bit of this beautiful journey. Even today, I feel that I have just started. One thing that I have learnt in the industry is that you have to be true to your character. You can just feel that people know me well and I will be able to pull off a character. At least for me it is not like that, I put in all the efforts for every character that I take. Even for Virender, I had to learn that Haryanvi accent and work upon my body language a bit. If you are not true to your role, you can’t survive in this industry for long.

You have been in the industry for about 27 years now. How do you think it has evolved?

From having VHS recorders on sets to now hi-tech equipments, the industry has become huge. TV has grown and I have grown with TV.  Back then, there was no pressure on the producer or the actors in general. There were no daily soaps, it was a weekly thing and everyone had ample time to prepare and shoot. We used to reach our sets at 9 am and around four hours were reserved for improvising things. We did rehearsals or were just randomly listening to the script. Now things have become fast forward. There is pressure on the producer and the creatives to create good content everyday. Because the audience has become habitual to watching daily soaps. Then the producer has to get the desired TRPs, it is an added pressure. If not, then there are chances that the show might get off-air. Also, there are way more channels now. TV has become a game changer now and there is high competition in it. Even film actors come to TV shows to promote their films, so it has grown leaps and bounds.

Was there a moment when you felt like quitting?

Not really. But there were times when I didn’t know what do with a character. Like in Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, I had  a lot of confusion with the makers for the character. I have had faced situations that were completely new and so I didn’t have anyone has an example for me. In fact, I became an example for many with the choices that I made.

What kind of roles attract you?

I am very clear about the roles I do. I can’t stand uselessly in a scene. I like to do characters that have a spine. Hence, I always sort things out with the makers beforehand. Not that I have to be there in  every scene, but when I am there I should do something and play my part. When it is the other character’s part, I won’t mind  that. But it’s just that my part has to be clear.