Exclusive: JD Majethia on his dashing new look at the age of 53: I am loving all the compliments coming my way, I now wish to play a baddie on-screen

“I wished to age gracefully and now would love to play a character suiting this look, specially wish to play a baddie on screen,” says producer, director actor JD Majethia sporting an all-white hair and bearded look. He is enjoying this new phase and loving all the compliments and accolades coming his way. JD Majethia got into a freewheeling chat with ETimes TV about how he wishes to break-free of his comic image, begin a second innings as the dashing model, actor and taking life on a positive note.

I am getting a lot of compliments for my looks. It’s one of the best looks I have ever looked in my life. Someone told me “I look imported from Hollywood’. One girl’s boyfriend literally got so upset when she complimented me. (laughs) Everyone is telling me, ‘I am looking very handsome.’ At times, it’s bit uncomfortable and embarrassing for me to even talk like this about the compliments but feel overwhelming also like a child.

I am looking stylish and I would love to play a baddie. I got a couple of offers earlier but they were not substantial. People usually know me for comedy. But I have got a State award for a film where Shefali Shah was my leading lady (Gujarati film – Dariya Chhoru). I am very good with drama and emotions which many are not aware of . So I would love show my acting skills beyond a comic character.

I was getting film offers to play a billionaire. But they weren’t substantial. That time the dates were also clashing... Wagle Ki Duniya, which I am creatively heading, was about to launch. I don’t wish to play a small role with this look. I just want one role, that’ll be remembered. I don’t mind changing my look later. I don’t want to do TV with this look, because it requires a lot of commitment. So, films and web shows is what I am looking forward to work in.

All my hair went white during Covid. Then stylist Aalim Hakim gave me this look. To be honest, I wasn’t able to come to terms with my age. I wanted to age gracefully. Ageing gracefully is very important for an actor. This look has put me into a zone where I never even imagined or thought for myself. It is giving me very classy and stylish look.

Talking about creating his look and the impression he made later, he shared, “Soon after I got this look, there were two girls, who walked into the parlour, they made hand gestures that I am looking handsome. At first I thought they are kidding. But then I went home and everyone was shocked. Next morning, when Aalim sent me the pictures, the compliments have been pouring in. There are very few people in India who can age gracefully like Milind Soman is one of them.” JD Majethia also wishes to explore his modelling side. He tells us, “I wish to endorse brands for lifestyle products. I have endorsed over 85 brands like motor cycle to cigarette and many more. When our production house started, I left everything. Now I feel like exploring it again ."

I use to be called, ‘cute’, ‘you make us laugh’ during Khichdi. From then, now I get called ‘dashing’ and ‘handsome’. So you see the change? I never expected compliments like these. I come from a Gujarati khaate peete ghar se, family shows bana raha hai . During covid lockdown I realised I have completely gone white, not even grey or salt n pepper . Like all other actors, even I would colour my hair regularly so never realised. I had long white hair and beard and Aalim took a lot of time to think first and then create the look.

I am a very positive person with a positive attitude towards life and work. We have two shows going on simultaneously. One is Wagle Ki Duniya and the other one will air soon. I am 100 % committed to all our shows and give all my time. These days I almost work for 18 hours. I always use ‘we’ because its my partner Aatish Kapadia and me work on almost everything together. He is the one who writes the most of our well known shows like Sarabhai & Khichdi, 'We' work as a team. I motivate my people and maintain a positive energy on the show.”

The look gives you more energy. Even at this age I can give any youngsters a run for money. I was in Survivor India in 2012. I was a runner-up. At that time, I was competing with people like Sangram Singh and other youngsters. My positive spirit has been since then. I am enjoying and this look has inspired and motivated me from inside. It’s has enhanced me from within. I also take a lot of my health. You need to maintain a healthy mind, diet and exterior and it compliments each other.