Actor Sharad Kelkar, who plays Aryavardhan in Zee TV’s Tumm Se Tumm Tak produced by Studio LSD, is celebrating the show’s milestone of completing 400 episodes. Reflecting on the journey, the actor says he feels fortunate to have a profession where he continues to get opportunities to perform, experiment and be appreciated by audiences.
“Being an actor is a blessing. You have work, you are doing good work, and people are appreciating it. There can’t be anything better than that in life,” Sharad shares.
The actor says the completion of 400 episodes almost feels surreal because television offers a very different pace of storytelling compared to films. “400 episodes, I didn’t even realise when we reached here. When you do films, it takes a year, one-and-a-half years from the shoot to the release. Here, it feels like you just started the show and suddenly you are nearing 400 episodes,” he says.
We have the liberty to improvise and bring our own personal touch to a scene, and I think that makes a big difference.
Calling the journey a “roller-coaster ride”, Sharad says, “It has been a roller-coaster ride for me. There have been very good days and bad days, but at the end of the day, I have learned a lot. I am very happy with the journey. Shows don’t always get to complete such a long journey these days, so I feel grateful that we have completed 400 episodes.”
Sharad also credits the show’s audience for making the experience special. He reveals that he personally interacts with fans from different parts of India as well as countries such as Belgium and the US. “I feel the love fans give us; we love them equally, perhaps even more,” he says.
Speaking about working with Niharika Chouksey, Sharad says, “I feel our off-screen bond is very good, and I am very comfortable doing scenes with Niharika. We talk a lot and have a lot of fun together, and I think that comfort reflects in the chemistry you see on screen.”
One aspect Sharad particularly appreciates about Tumm Se Tumm Tak is the creative freedom given to the actors. He explains, “One of the things I really appreciate about Tumm Se Tumm Tak is the creative freedom we get as actors. We have the liberty to improvise and bring our own personal touch to a scene, and I think that makes a big difference. I also try to bring some of my personal experiences into my performances. When I am portraying the dynamics between a husband and wife, I sometimes draw from my own experiences and understanding of relationships. That freedom really helps us make the scenes feel more natural and relatable.”
Looking ahead, Sharad hints that viewers can expect more romance as well as plenty of drama in the upcoming episodes. “There will be a lot of romance and drama coming up. The thriller has already started, but there is going to be a lot more of the relationship between Arya and Anu. I think the audience is waiting for their scenes, and there are plenty more to come.
On Independence Day, Sharad also shared a heartfelt message, urging people to put the country above differences. “On Independence Day, I would just like to say that our country should always come first. We should keep aside differences of caste, religion and region and prioritise our country. Our soldiers are standing at the borders for us and for the country, not for themselves. We should value and respect what we have. For me, completing 400 episodes is not just about reaching a number; it is about continuing to work, learning something every day and being grateful for the love and appreciation the audience has given us throughout this journey.”
