Sumeet Raghavan is known to do comedies. His new show on SAB TV about to go on air on June 9, Badi Door Se Aaye Hai is no different. He tells SHAlINI SAKSENA that playing an alien is a challenge and though he would love to be a part of Bollywood, he doesn’t want to do cameos, rather he would prefer to do substantial roles on television
Will an Indianised version of an alien show workIJ
Aliens have always fascinated man. Whether, it is a show or a movie, people love to watch such shows. This is because we want to know if there is life on other planets or not. Badi Door Se Aaye Hain (BDSAH) will show aliens in a comic way. Most people, at the end of the day, want to watch something that will make them laugh. In that sense, the series should click with the viewers.
You generally do comedy genre. Is that a conscious decisionIJ
It is just chance that I have ended up doing only comedy shows on TV. Tu Tu Mein Mein, Hudd Kar Di and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai were hits with the viewers. So, I suppose I just went with the flow. But this doesn’t mean that I am averse to doing saas-bahu sagas. The role that I am offered should be not the good son, who always does what the mother asks him to do. I would love to play a villain in such serials. At least there will be scope for the character to evolve.
Tell us about BDSAHIJ
It is about an alien family that has come from another planet in search for their son, whom they believe has come to earth in a scape craft. But once on earth, they don’t know how to adjust to the environment. They feel that people on earth are primitive, that they still use cars to travel, that they can’t read minds and that they use hands and feet to do simple tasks. At the same time, these aliens have problems of their own. How to use their hands and feet, how to walk, how to speak earth language and use their one head. The presumption that these creatures may have more than two heads and don’t need hands and feet.
Was it difficult to play an alienIJ
Extremely difficult. This is because, my character doesn’t know how to feel any emotions. I don’t cry, laugh or know fear. To keep a straight face and deliver a funny line was a challenge. Also, to be completely disconnected with the surrounding and yet act and be in your character proved to be tough.
How has it been to be a part of such a show till nowIJ
It has been great. Even though we have only shot a couple of episodes, it has been fun as far. And the coming months will be no different.
What about working with Aatish KapadiaIJ
First, I would like to thank Hats off Production for doing such a fantastic job so far. The idea is fresh and so is the concept. As for writer-director Aatish Kapadia, he is brilliant and known to bring something new in each of his serials. Baa Bahu Aur Baby, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and Khichdi (TV series), all have been different — they were fresh and had something new to offer to the audience. Kapadia has that knack and BDSAH will also have something new to offer.
Why is it that you are not seen in movies oftenIJ
While every actor wants to be a part of Bollywood, I have not got the kind of roles that I want. It is not as if I have not tried, I did. But things just didn’t click. I don’t want to be a part of the industry where I only do small inconsequential roles. I would prefer to do TV where I get a bigger and better role. Having said that, you will see me in Holiday (releasing next month). I do have some sort of role here. The other movie where I had some presence was U, Me Aur Hum (as Dr Nikhil).
Why should people watch BDSAHIJ
First, it is a fun take on aliens who find themselves at a loss on a planet that is so different from theirs. Second, watch it for Kapadia. He is so good. He has great ideas and have new things to offer to his audience.