Exclusive - Maddam Sir's Rahil Azam on never trying for Bollywood: I was very lazy, 'TV mila toh udhar hi baith gaya'

The 40-year old actor, Rahil Azam, who has defied age, did his first-ever live interaction with fans through ETimes TV. During the session, Rahil spoke about how exploring new paths, Maddam Sir, bond with Gulki Joshi, being a prankster, about his fans, not trying for Bollywood and a lot more, Read On: (All Photos - Instagram)

Ever since I started my career, I have observed that television is a female-dominated medium and they have much more options than male actors. But, I have created my own path. I never followed a typical daily soap pattern. If I wanted, I could have but then I wouldn't have got a chance to grow. Therefore, I led my own parallel path wherein, I started experimenting with roles, especially after Hatim. I did not want to get typecast as the typical 'dream boy.' I started to play off-beat roles. I played a negative character, a woman - - I was the first Indian TV actor to play a woman. So, I experimented a lot. When I got Maddam Sir, I knew that even though it is woman dominated, if they are creating a male character then definitely he would have his part to play but 'itna appreciation milega, maine kabhi nahin socha tha' (Never thought that I would get appreciation on such a higher scale).

She's a thorough professional and a very talented actress. It hardly took us one or two scenes to study each other because it's all about coordination, give and take. She understands the small-small nuances that I would probably be giving in a scene. She knows that by now and even I know what exactly she wants. So, we try our level best to enhance each other's performances. She is a good actress.

Before I joined Maddam Sir, I was told that Gulki Joshi was the head of playing pranks on the set. When I entered the show, nobody realised that I would be the bigger prankster. That's the reason why she called me 'pita ji of pranks'

Life did not change at all after Hatim. After Hatim, I immediately started experimenting with characters. Unfortunately or fortunately, the medium (social media/media) wasn't very strong. The ratings of the show back then were above 20 and today if any show's rating is 2.5, they cut cakes, distribute sweets, dance and go crazy with happiness. Those were the golden years of TV when shows had just begun going on-air. Social media wasn't there to promote any shows. The only promotion was through the channels where they would show the promos. Today, when promos are released, fans and media circulate them. So, I really respect the older shows, without any publicity, they used to get such TRPs. Hatim happened, it was telecast, the ones who saw, fine, the ones who didn't, have missed it. I realised how big Hatim is when the repeat telecasts began, it became huge. Even now, videos of the show keep doing the rounds on social media. I've always been very grateful for Hatim because it established me as a personality. If the media would have been at that time, it would be a bigger rage.

I think what's original, should remain untouched. Somebody tried to remake Hatim but I don't think it worked. For instance, Mughal-e-azam part 2 cannot be made. Even when Hatim was shot, the producers or the channels did not realise that it would be so big down the years. Media wasn't there and a lot of people didn't know. I can say one thing for sure that today if Hatim is brought on the OTT platform, it will give other shows a run for their money, I'm confident.

I was destined to be an actor. It was a very natural realisation and the first film that I watched in theatre was 'Mukaddar Ka Sikander' and I felt that I am a part of it. That thought didn't come to me 'ki mujhe bhi karna hai,' I already felt that I belong to that screen and frame. It wasn't that the thought of being an actor was inculcated in me as I was growing up. I am very passionate about acting.

That time everything in television was very fresh. The channels had just begun telecasting Hindi serials. Prior to that English serials were being telecasted. There were only 4-5 prime channels at that point in time. Every show was very fresh and as far as the actors are concerned, they were doing films and some lovely TV shows simultaneously. There was lots to learn from them. When I came to Bombay, it was not tough at all for me because there were lot of opportunities. There weren't many actors but today, there are so many actors. There is a crowd in TV, web, films and social media. Back then, there were very selective actors and the competition was very good. There were really good looking actors. I am not saying that today's actors are not good looking but there are so many channels, shows and actors that it becomes very difficult to spot a particular actor, that actor might be a fantastic performer. That time, spotting an actor was very easier. That is why the actors of that time are spotted and accepted very easily even today.

No. I was very lazy. I got TV and just got stuck to it. I could have tried for Bollywood but once I started doing TV, I did not get time. I tried to work in Television, take up each serial like a film. I would never do a show for more than a year. There are only two shows - Hatim and Yeh Meri Life Hai that I did for a year. All the other shows have been in between 4-8 months because I have considered every serial of mine as a film. The role which, I've played, I've considered it to be a part of that 2.5 hours' film. Once that character's juice is squeezed out there is nothing left for me to do in it. So, then I switch on to another show. Before switching on to another show there is a lot of gap in between because I look out for the correct kind of a character, which would break the image of the previous character that I've done. This process began and I never thought about films. This pattern that I have been following, is now introduced in the web medium. If web would have been at that time, it would have done wonders for me. Now, I would definitely focus on web. I have done a bit of work on web now but that pattern of working on web is something that I would love to do it. There is no telecast deadline, even in terms of creativity, you are free. Finally, web is my focus.

Comedy is my strongest point and nobody has ever tried to tap that. I don't know how to let the makers know that comedy is my strongest point. There are different ways of performing according to me. There was an era where people were made to laugh through loud actions but for me, comedy is very different. Even with a poker face, you can make somebody roll on the floor laughing. And, that is what I am looking at and therefore, I started making reels. I wanted people to see my other side. Till now, I've just done serious and negative roles but due to these apps I was inspired to create funny videos. I think I'll do really great if I am allowed to perform the way I want to with a definitive subject.

Even on the set, I am like this (funny). I would never talk to the point and only that person will understand and nobody else. You need a heart and mind to understand to what I say. My fans have now started relating to it especially with my posts' captions. There are a lot of times that I think whether I should do a few things or not as it might turn out to be harsh and my fans would get shocked to see this side of mine. Gradually, I'll start posting. my co-stars on Maddam Sir have understood me totally. It so happens that when I I ask something, they are left confused and ask 'Is there something in it or it's a normal question.'