7 minutes agoAuthor: Indresh Gupta
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After a 20-year leap in the story of the show 'Dhruv Tara – Samay Sadi Se Peyer' airing on Sony Sab, some new characters have joined the show. Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer is also among them. Pankaj Dheer has been a part of more than 100 Bollywood, 8-10 Bengali, 10-12 Punjabi and 9 Kannada films so far. He played the role of Karna in the popular TV show Mahabharat. Pankaj Dheer, who started in the black and white era, is still active in the industry.
During a conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Pankaj Dheer talked about the changing times, his characters and the show Dhruv Tara. Read the highlights of the interview-
Question: What is your role in 'Dhruv Tara-Beyond Time Century'?
answer- My character is Dhruv's father Giriraj. Giriraj, besides being a businessman, is a very strict and punctual person. He is known for strictly following rules and laws. His nature is completely different from his younger son Dhruv, who is lazy and rebellious. This leads to conflicts between the father-son duo. I am enjoying my look a lot. It is of a rich man of the 19th century.
Question: What is the excitement about joining a show after a leap and taking on a new role?
answer- The leap in this show is a very independent type. It is a story about a time machine. It has started from scratch. So, there was no problem in understanding the character. As an artist, it is always exciting and challenging to experiment with new roles. I am eager to connect with the audience in the role of Giriraj. His disciplined and rule-abiding nature often creates tension with his son Dhruv, whose rebellious nature is the complete opposite of this.
I am thrilled to bring this character to life and portray the complexities of a father-son relationship set in the backdrop of the 19th century. It was very different from what I have done recently. I felt I should try this genre and it feels different.
Question- You did a grand show like 'Mahabharat' a long time ago. Was there any special reason for saying yes to this show?
answer- I have done not only mythology shows but other shows as well. I have not tried to do anything like this in recent times. In my last show 'Ajooni', I played a horrible person and here I have got a chance to play a very dignified character. See we are actors, it does not matter to us what the genre of the show is.
We adapt ourselves to any era of story, any kind of story. But technology has definitely changed a lot since 'Mahabharat'. We started in black and white. Today many good cameras and other shooting equipment have come, so many things have become easier.
Pankaj Dheer played the role of Karna in the popular TV show Mahabharata.
Q. How do you prepare for your roles?
answer- It's about trying to understand the character, trying to find a backstory for the character, imagining where he comes from. Then his expressions, the way he talks, the way he walks, and that's something that you create in your mind as an actor and implement it.
More than anything else, what is most important is character study. You have to go deep into the character to make it real and relevant and likeable. This is my age old technique, which I have learnt from the masters.
Question: After 'Poison', did you get any other OTT show or any upcoming movie from South?
answer- After 'Poison', I did not get any OTT show. I got busy with serials. I have done a lot of work in South as well which may not be updated in my profile on the internet. I have done 9 Kannada films, one Malayalam, one Telugu film. I have done 8-10 Bengali, 10-12 Punjabi films. I have done close to 100 films in Bollywood. Right now, no project is going to come from South.
Question: Has there ever been any offer to work with your son Nikitin or do both of you discuss coming together?
answer- We haven't received any such offer till now. If someone approaches us in the future, we will see. If the story and character are good, we will do it. I think Nikitin is an accomplished artist. He has learnt the craft of acting. He is leading a different life. I am also doing the work I am getting according to my age. I can't do leading roles all my life. I am choosing characters as I am getting older.
Pankaj Dheer's son Nikitin has appeared in Shahrukh and Deepika Padukone starrer film Chennai Express.
Question: Do you have any specific desire to play a role (something like a biopic)?
answer- As we get roles, we artists explore something new. In our industry, it is said that 'learning is never ending'. Every day we learn something or the other from someone. Apart from this, there is no desire to do any particular kind of role. Yes, if the makers feel that they can show Pankaj Dheer in a person's biopic or in a specific character or in a new look, then they will approach him. We are artists, we will adapt ourselves as per the need of the character.
