Belonging to Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, some of veteran actor Surendra Pal’s best work are Mahabharat, Chanakya, Kanoon, Zee Horror Show, Shaktimaan, Amanat, C.I.D, Vishnu Puran, Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan, Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, Diya Aur Baati Hum, Maharana Pratap, Siya Ke Ram and Chandrakanta. He is currently seen on Azaad’s new show, Meri Doli Mere Angana as the lead protagonist Janki’s father, Gyanendra Singh. Here, he talks about his journey on television, his new show & more.
Q It’s a new Show on a new Channel Azaad. How do you feel -Excited or Nervous?
Ans Neither am I feeling excited nor nervous but one thing is sure that whenever I worked with new shows and in new channels, it has always created history. Whether you talk about Mahabharat, Aurat, Shaktiman or Devon ke Dev Mahadev. So, if you really ask me, I don’t feel anything like that but I hope that again this new show Meri Doli Mere Angana will create the same magic again on television.
Q What is the most important thing do you see when you sign a new show?
Ans The story and the concept of the show is what is important for me before accepting it. If something is not good about the story or they are doing vulgar comedy or anything that could hurt the sentiment of audience, I refuse it immediately. I have an image amongst the audience and I have to live up to it. I choose the role which is good and going to be accepted by the audience. I signed this show because of its good content and it is on the channel named Azaad with its tag line Meri Mitti Mera Aasman that caters to rural audience. I want to directly associate with rural audiences as I come from there only.
Q Any special preparation you had to do for this role?
Ans I believe we have to do daily homework regarding preparation of any character. It doesn’t matter how much experience we have but to do justice to the role and in-depth preparation is required for the same. Then only can we perform well and do justice with the character that we enact.
Q How different is it working during the pandemic?
Ans There is a complete change in working before and now during the pandemic. But despite of threat of Covid, people have to go out to work for their survival. Things have changed drastically and we are living in a very strange world since the pandemic happened. The saying Jo Darr Gaya Samjho Margaya has changed to Jo Darr Gaya woh Bach Gaya. Moreover, getting a negative report is the most positive thing right now. I feel blessed to be a part of an industry that is entertaining people who are stuck in their homes from fear moving out. And it’s for our audiences that we need to work for despite our age factor and virus threat. It’s certainly putting our lives at risk but then we also need to earn for our families.
