Ali Asgar is remembered for his portrayal of dadi in Kapil Sharma’s show. During his visit to The Pioneer office, he talks about his love for comedy and how the industry needs to open up to humour
Tell us something about your new show and your roleIJ
This is a show calledWoh Teri Bhabhi Hai Re Pagle. It is a romantic comedy. There are two guys — one is Ranbeer, son of a rich businessman, and other is Nathu Nakabandi, a local don or tapori. I am playing Nathu. His name is nakabandi because he is the reason whynakabandi started in the city. Both of them meet doctor Diya, who is the female protagonist in the show and they fall in love with her. One day Diya comes to his society and she asks everyone to donate blood. Since Nathu is in love with her, he donates six bottle of blood after which his friends have to carry him home on their shoulders. From that day onwards, both the guys attempt to woo her. While Ranbeer becomes a fake heart surgeon, Nathu becomes a fake patient.
Do you think after this role people will get over your image as DadiIJ
They should. I want them to get over my Dadi’s character because as an actor, it is not only about one character. I am fortunate that I was a part of that show and it was ayaadgaar character but you have to move on. You cannot just live in your past. For example, if a cricketer scores a century in his first match, it does not mean that his career ends there. His career begins from that score. Coming back to this show, it is for everyone — from a six-year- old to a 60-year old. After watching this show, people will start taking sides. Some of them will root for Ranbeer to get that girl while others will want Nathu to get her. They might sympathise with him because he is an orphan.
Comedy Nights with Kapil just ended and even the last episode was not allowed to telecast properly...
That was the channel’s call. They showed it anyway and there were some cuts in it. Definitely, it was an emotional episode and the channel decided that they should not show it or telecast it so they didn’t.
You have been a part of the show for so long which indeed was iconic. Its characters — right from Dadi to Gutthi to everyone were so interesting. So, now that the show has ended, so how do you feel about itIJ
It looks like that the show has ended but it is not. It is still going on and someone else is doing it. But yes, we are missing our audience.
Are you people planning somethingIJ
‘Something’ is happening. May be in a month or two you will get a more clear picture. Kapil (Sharma) will decide that, what has to be done and where it has to be done. If there will be any reunion, then I will be there in Kapil’s team, playing Dadi again.
After doing a role of Kamal Aggarwal in the show Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, you switched towards comedy. What was the reason for itIJ
My acting career started with comedy. But earlier, people did not accept comedy the way they accept now. My first drama was Ekta’s (Kapoor) Itihaas. That time I didn’t have the confidence to do any drama. After that show, I did Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki. And when the show went off air, I decided to do comedy again.
With what happened with Kiku Sharda, do you think country lacks a sense of humourIJ
We didn’t know that something like that would happen, till it happened. People should accept comedy in a broader way. Our intention is never to hurt anyone. When we get the script, we just read it, and act according to it. We don’t decide what we have to wear or what our costumes will be like. We are not anywhere responsible for the content.