Dheeraj Sarna makes a comeback as an actor after ten years with Belan Wali Bahu
Belan Wali Bahu, Dheeraj Sarna’s new show has the writer-actor playing the character of the male protagonist, Amarnath Awasthi but it wasn’t something Sarna wanted. “When I narrated the idea to the channel, they wanted me to play Amarnath. Initially, I laughed it out, but they were really persistent. So, I went on with the look test and auditions. And now here I am,” says Sarna who is trying to hold up the pressure of writing and co-producing the show.
Sarna is very particular about what goes into the show and though he could have a separate team of writers, he wants things to be perfect. “Only when the script is good will the actors be able to do justice to it. Also, I don’t want to lose on writing as that is what defines me,” says Sarna who has acted in many plays in Jaipur before he came to Mumbai. Earlier he had plans to become an actor but simultaneously started writing for shows like Hum Paanch, and Kutumb. He was nominated for Indian Telly Jury Award for Best Dialogue Writer (drama series and soap).
The show has already garnered the interest of the audience as it is a combination of drama and comedy. But the idea was initially rejected by Sarna. “When my friend told me about the idea — a wife accidentally hitting her husband with a belan who dies at the very start of the show— it sounded more tragic and turning it into comedy was something we thought to be impossible. It was only after the channel showed interest that we started writing.” The process was rather tedious, and “only after writing few episodes did we gain the confidence that the show will work.”
The producer in him is always active as he has to not only work on his character but everyone else’s as well. “I’m continuously working on the show as I want each and every character to be remembered. So from their character building to the little nuances, everything has to be kept in mind.” Amid all the detailing lies the challenge of the perfect punch. “Comedy should always have spontaneity. And there are chances of actors coming out of the character. So, every time I write, I have a clear idea of how things will work out but comedy should not outdo the characters.”
The Awasthi family is in itself an amalgamation of colourful characters under one umbrella— from the selfie-obsessed bhabhi, the suspended officer to Suzzi, the nurse— “I wanted all the characters to have a unique element that will highlight their nature. And amid all this, are the two main lead who are realistic.”
Talking about his character of laddu, Sarna says: “laddu has a grumpy nature. I associated him with the chairmans’ of the housing societies in Mumbai — they never laugh and are always cribbing about who can rent a place and who can’t — never happy with their lives. At the same time, I had to add a fun element so that the audience likes him.”
Tired as he looks at the long shooting hours and the promotion going simultaneously, he laughs when he is asked about the idea behind the title. “It’s very simple, there is a belan and a bahu, put them together and you getbelan wali bahu.