Ali Asgar Interview: I want to play an out and out negative character!

Ali Asgar is one of the finest comedians that we have today in our country. Though the actor has played a diverse range of characters in films and television, Dadi and Nani from Comedy Nights With Kapil and The Kapil Sharma Show respectively remain his most popular characters till date. After a short break, the talented actor is now returning with a new show called The Drama Company on Sony Entertainment Television. At the curtain raiser event the show, the seasoned actor talks to BollywoodMDB Reporter, Mohnish Singh, about his new show, his association with SONY TV, and his dream role.

Congratulations that you are back on Sony Entertainment Television once again? How do you feel?

First of all, thank you! As far as my association with SONY TV is concerned, many people don’t know that I did their first show when it was launched in India in 1994. The show was named as Apne Jaise Types. It was directed by Vikram Bhatt. The show was inspired by Beatles group. I did John Lennon’s character in it. It did not work. It was an experimental phase for satellite television in India, so people were trying to experiment with new ideas and stories. But I must say the show was very good. It was very, very well directed. So, I have been a part of Sony’s family since its launch.

Don’t you think of doing fiction shows anymore?

I’m not getting good offers, to be more precise. After Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, I did FIR, Yeh Toh Ghar Ki Baat Hai, Jeannie Aur Juju and Woh Teri Bhabhi Hai Pagle, of which Jeannie Aur Juju did really well. After that, I received a lot of offers but there was nothing new to explore. It was all repetitive. I’m waiting for something which I cannot reject.

Is your new comedy show The Drama Company on the same lines as The Kapil Sharma show where celebrities come to promote their films and all?

No, there is no similarity between Kapil’s show and our show. The only thing which is similar is that here also celebrities will come. Most of the celebs promote their films on reality shows on Saturdays and Sundays as during the weekend you get maximum eyeballs.

The Drama Company is a drama show. You will get to see new things in each episode. The best part for me in the show is that there is no permanent character for me. I can play a varied number of characters in one show. I am not playing anybody’s dadi, dada, husband, wife or neighbour. Someday you will see me in the character of Lalaji, the other day in the getup of Mausi.

Did you get bored of doing the same kind of roles, which led to your exit from The Kapil Sharma Show?

No, I did not get bored of anything. There was no growth in that character. You must have noticed that Dadi in Comedy Nights With Kapil had a shade; Nani did not have that shade in The Kapil Sharma Show. There was a lack of characteristics in Nani’s character. By and by, the whole one year went by, and we could not develop anything new for Nani’s character. That is why I took an exit from the Kapil Sharma Show because that was affecting me. I had nothing to add to the character.

Dadi has been a very popular character. Do you think there is a pressure on you to match up to your earlier role in this new show?

That will always be there. It happens with the biggest of stars. But I have learnt to be away from this number game and pressure. It’s not necessary that Sachin Tendulkar hits a century in every match. Likewise, you don’t need to compare one successful performance with the other one.

See, I don’t take credit for Dadi. I never said the character became popular because of me. It is always team efforts. If a show works, everyone associated with it will be benefitted.

When we interviewed you last time, you said you won’t play a woman’s character again.

I always maintain that. But not everything is in my hands. My production house is above me, and above production house, there is the channel. The research team of the channel has conducted an extensive research which says the audience wants me to see in such characters.

In The Drama Company, I have got an incentive that if I play a woman, I will get a chance to play a man as well.

You have almost kissed all big celebrities in your previous shows. Is anyone left who you wanted to kiss but could not?

Aamir Khan. He has never come on my shows. If he wants, I can go to his place in the get-up and kiss him.

You have almost done everything, from comedy to daily soaps. Is there any character that you crave to play?

I want to play an out and out negative character like Pran. I don’t want to play a buffoonery villain.