Mumbai, Feb 15 (.) Actor Sharad Kelkar believes that the enduring success of traditional television dramas lies not in novelty alone, but in their ability to resonate consistently with a wide cross-section of viewers.
Sharad has returned to the television with “Tumm Se Tumm Tak”, reaffirming his enduring appeal nearly two decades after he first rose to prominence with Zee TV’s “Saat Phere – Saloni Ka Safar’. After spending the last few years immersed in films and streaming projects, the actor has re-entered the daily soap space with a show that is steadily performing well on the ratings charts.
Sharad plays a wealthy Delhi-based industrialist who falls in love with a much younger woman, portrayed by Niharika Chouksey. The unconventional pairing drew considerable attention when the promotional material was released, with social media users debating the age gap between the protagonists. While some viewers questioned the pairing, the serial’s growing popularity suggests that the storyline has found acceptance among a significant section of the audience.
The actor admits that he found it tough to take time out for a TV serial while working on films and streaming. “I just could not find out the dates and numbers of days to fit in one TV show in my scheme of things. When Prateek Sharma of Studio LSD came to me, I had rejected it outright. But he was insistent that I hear the story. I knew I could not give him the dates and did not wish to generate false hopes,” he says candidly to Variety India.
However, it seems like “Tumm Se Tumm Tak” was destined for Sharad. The series shoot got delayed, and Sharad’s date diary kind of opened up, much to Prateek Sharma’s delight.
Sharad says he respects Prateek a lot. To date, he has churned out fresh and original stories on TV, irrespective of the TRP outcome. He shares that things finally materialised after the two worked out and accommodated a few things.
He further said, “The way he narrated the story felt different. I was looking forward to playing such a character. If you see the format, you will find that “Tumm Se Tumm Tak” is devoid of the excessive melodrama that is a staple in most Indian dailies. Also, the show is filmed across sets and not in a single house. The manner in which the stories of the supporting cast play out also appealed to me. My instinct told me it was a good script,” he asserts. . . .