Raghuvir Yadav: now a comic character The actor ventures into television yet again

Ronjita Kulkarni

The popular Indian comic character Chacha Chaudhry, with his red turban, and whose mind works faster than a computer, is now being made into a television series.

Starring Raghuvir Yadav as Chacha Chaudhry, Parveen Kumar (as Chacha Chaudhry's giant companion Sabu), and Madhuri Sanjeev (Chachi), the series is being directed by Mohit Jha.

"I didn't want to do any television serials but I really wanted to do something for children. So when Chacha Chaudhry was offered to me, I could not refuse it. I have been reading these comics since childhood. And now, I am getting the opportunity to actually act like him!" says Yadav.

The actor had earlier done a television serial for children, Mullah Naseeruddin, eight years ago. His Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne was another comedy for children. But Yadav says, "I am not satisfied with Chacha Chaudhry. I think it was shot very quickly --- we had to shoot three episodes a week. I have told Mohit that we must improve the production values and change the location [from Mumbai's Filmcity]. The next schedule starts June 8. I think it will be in Pune [in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra]."

The shooting for the serial started four years ago, and was originally directed by Ketan Mehta. Intended for Doordarshan Television Network, but rejected by it, Sahara TV stepped into the picture. The serial is now aired at 7 pm Monday to Wednesday.

"The four-year delay was partly due to date problems and partly due to getting a channel to televise it," explains Yadav. He acts with Parveen (Bhima of the popular Indian television serial Mahabharat), who, he says, is "very down to earth and we get along very well."

Yadav is also busy with films. He is now working on Arjun Sajnani's Agnivarsha, Rajesh Seth's Yatharth and M F Husain's Meenakshi. "The success of [Aamir Khan's] Lagaan has not helped me where films are concerned. But I am very proud to be associated with the film," says Yadav, who played Bhura, the poultry farmer in the film.

He adds, "I still meet up with the actors of Lagaan. We always reminisce about the good old times when we meet." The team, including Aamir Khan, will stage a show in London this month.