Comedy has adopted me and I am fine with it: Shruti Seth

Shararat actor Shruti Seth explains the various reasons why she refrains from doing TV soaps and talks about her new sitcom TV, Biwi aur Main.

Popularly known for her hit comedy series Shararat, Shruti Seth is a well-known face on television. After being part of numerous comedy shows including The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir, and hosting several seasons of Comedy Circus, Shruti will now be seen in a new sitcom TV, Biwi aur Main. She talks to HT Café about content on TV and why she isn’t seen in dramatic soaps. Excerpts:

Shruti would like to see shows from different genres like thrillers and legal dramas without turning everything into a saas-bahu show.

After so many comedy shows, have dramatic shows interested you?

I did get a call to be part of a mythological show where they wanted me to be the mother of Lord Ganesh. I turned them down (laughs). I am past my prime and won’t be doing a daily soap as a lead. When I clarify that I won’t give up my life for a show, I get calls for ‘pivotal roles’ or negative roles. But these don’t interest me either as I am scared of the number of days needed in a month to shoot or the location, which requires a lot of commute. That’s why I am glad that comedy has adopted me and I plan to stay adopted.

Do you watch Indian TV shows?

I don’t enjoy watching most of Indian TV as it is not my cup of tea. I am not for unrealistic hyper-drama. I would like to see shows from different genres like thrillers and legal dramas without turning everything into a saas-bahu show. I have seen many shows start off well with great intentions but soon come back to saas-bahu. I remember the TV shows made by Aditya Chopra’s production company were so relatable and well-written. We need to have the patience to see things through but most producers and channels get nervous very quickly. If there are no immediate results, people panic, and turn to tried-and-tested formulas.

How was the experience Comedy Nights Bachao which became controversial at the fag end?

The show was fabulous as I don’t think there is any industry where people are brave enough to be on a show where they will be laughed at. One needs a serious amount of courage and a sense of humour. We live in the times of the easily offended. But the guests we had, impressed me by the way in which they allowed us to make fun of them. Many people understood that the show was about jokes, and no one made any personal attacks or comments. Of course, the jokes were made in the right spirit.

Now you are doing a daily sitcom TV, Biwi aur Main. Why did you choose to do this?

The fact that I was needed for 20 days a month was the biggest lure for me. Being a mother, I don’t want to stay away from my daughter for long. I wanted to return to TV for a while but nothing substantial came my way.