‘Theatre tests you like no other medium,’ Vijay Kalvani

Your last show was Piyaa Albelaa. What took you four years to be back on screen?

Yes, I am returning after four years out of which two years were spent in the pandemic-induced lockdowns. It takes time to get the right opportunity. The entertainment industry is as competitive as any other field.

Tell us about the new show, Na Umar Ki Seema Ho.

As a society we have created many barriers for ourselves and this title breaks one of the barriers, be it in terms of relationships or in terms of doing what you love to do at any stage of life.

What is your role in it?

I am playing chacha (uncle) of the female lead. He is dominated by his wife. It’s a layered character that will add to the drama.

The content on TV has changed over the years. Your comment.

As of today, it is still over the top to some extent. I know that the creative teams in different channels are trying to experiment with content. In fact, Piyaa Albelaa was one such attempt by Sooraj Barjatya ji and Zee TV.

You kept a low profile, what was the reason?

The way I look at the world is probably one of the major reasons for keeping a low profile. I love my freedom and I don’t want people to recognise me as an actor when I am in the market or elsewhere. If I am talking to you, I would like to know the real you, your flaws, your vulnerabilities… that is the real beauty of people.

You’ve done films like Kick and Krrish 3. How was your experience?

Amazing. Thanks to Jaideep (Raja) Sen sir that I got the opportunity. Even though the roles were small, I got to work with Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan in the initial phase of my career. Both of them are genuinely down-to-earth and hard-working actors.

Why didn’t you do more films after that?

I wanted to perform bigger roles but since I was new, expecting meaty roles in films wasn’t practical at that point of time. This was the primary reason I shifted my focus to television. TV is also a big medium through which one can reach out to the masses.

You have done TV, films, and theatre. What difference do you find in these mediums?

Theatre has to be the very first step of the ladder. It shows you what you are capable of, what you can do in front of a live audience and how you handle a situation when either you or a co-actor goes blank during a live performance. Theatre tests you like no other medium does.

If not an actor, what would you have been and why?

Writer. I haven’t done it professionally so far but I love writing poems. I would love to be a dialogue writer someday.