Anup Upadhyay, who plays Murari in Sony SAB's Jijaji Chhat Par Hain, tells SHALINI SAKSENA that he took on this role because he loves doing comedy shows

Why have you done only comedy shows till now?

I love doing comedy shows as I love to make people laugh and see them laugh. This makes me happy. I feel that if I am able to make people laugh in this day and age of stress, I am blessed. When I meet people who have a smile on their faces, it gives me pleasure.

Why did you agree to play Murari, that too a father?

I know the director Shashank Bali. I had earlier done FIR with him. Even the writer of the show (Jijaji Chhath Par Hain — JCPH) is an old friend. He told me that Murari (my character) is best suited for me. They had faith in me. My character is from Delhi, Chandni Chowk. I know Delhi, I did theatre with Habib Tanvir back then. Also, I am from Ganjdundwara in Etah district. I am familiar with the houses, the talk and the environment shown in the show and found a connect with the serial.

Did you have any apprehensions doing a father’s role?

I am not hero material that I would fear that once I did a father’s role I would get typecast and won’t get hero roles. I am from theatre and used to doing all kind of roles. My only concern is whether I am able to find a connect with the role that I have been offered. If I am able to find that connect, I enjoy the role. Since all through my career, I have done diverse roles in all my comedy shows.

Are you like Murari in real life?

In real life, I am totally different from Murari. But I have seen and grown up around people like Murari. I have picked up the characteristics of such people and put it out through Murari. In real life, I am a funny person. Like I said, I love to make people laugh. If you see Murari’s true character, he is irritable, he scolds his daughter and wife, is suspicious by nature and is a miser. His character is not funny but what he does and the situations he gets into are funny.

How would you describe yourself?

What more do I add to ‘I am a fun loving person’. My friends tell me that when I am not there with them, there is no fun. With my family, I have a wife and daughter, I love to laugh and have fun with them too. The atmosphere at home is light

What is the secret of the popularity of comedy shows like Bhabhiji... and JCPH?

For any show to be popular, the audience needs to find a connect with the characters in the serial that he is watching. Either this or if the show talks about a secret desire that the viewer may have and can’t talk about publicly. When he sees that he too is somewhat like the character in the serial, he feels happy For example, in Bhabhiji... the men secretly admire the other’s wife. But our culture doesn’t allow this kind of public display of affection. Even in the show, the characters never cross the limit that have been set. The men are just having some fun. Nowhere would you feel that the show has shown something that is not acceptable. Even in real life, you do have men who joke with their bhabhis.

What has been the best thing that has happened in your career?

It is the kind of roles that I have been offered. Even when I was doing theatre, I always got roles that I loved doing. When I came to Mumbai, though there was struggle, but whatever role and work that I was offered, I was loved for my performance thanks to the blessings of God, by elders and my fans. Whether I deserved that accolade is another matter but this gave me the much need encouragement to move forward. I am where I am today because of this.

How would you describe comedy?

Jeevan mein agar comedy nahin hai toh kuchch bhi nahin hai — life bahut neeras hai. It is very important to have fun moments in life. It keeps life halka-phulka. If we want to keep moving ahead in life and live it to its potential, comedy is necessary.

Did you always want to be an actor?

Yes. I always knew I wanted to be an actor even as a child. I am from a small town, the entertainment industry always fascinated me but I didn’t have the outlet. After I graduated, I knew that in order to pursue my dream, I needed to move to either Lucknow or Delhi. That is what I did. I talked to many people in order to understand what the industry was all about; I read a lot to find answers to the questions I didn’t find. And here I am.