Rituraj K Singh the senior versatile actor who has donned roles of varying nature is entertaining viewers profusely in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, the popular Star Plus show. He has been at ease in comic roles, at the same time has been at his aggressive best as the bad man.
Presently, Rituraj has gotten back to television with the colourful character of Purushottam in this Rajan Shahi’s popular and longest running GEC show.
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’s Puru Mama as he is fondly called comes across as a happy-go-lucky character who is full of life. However, he has an ugly eye for younger women.
Says Rituraj, “As an actor, I took up this role because in spite of leaving TV, this role was too tempting. I have a long association with Rajan Shahi, and we have been friends. Also this show is iconic. It is not easy for an actor like me to refuse a show which has a huge standing in the industry. Also, it is exciting for me because I like to play these double-faced characters as I get to use my talent. I get a better opportunity and space to use the variations that I can provide in my expressions.”
Rituraj states that this track is very message-provoking and stresses on the fact that women need not get suppressed by family pressure if someone in the family is not treating them well. “The idea of showing this kind of a slimy character in a happy family is to send out a message that a girl who is being touched inappropriately, or even looked at in a letchy way needs to voice out and open up. Just because the person doing it is an elderely respected person in the family, the girl should not keep quiet. She should speak up against him in order to stop the person’s evil acts then and there. In the same way, Naira (Shivangi Joshi) gets cross at Dadi (Swati Chitnis) for having known of her brother’s dirty mind, yet has been quiet for years.”
Rituraj again stresses on the fact that women need to be self-motivated and strong. “In countries abroad, people might be having free sex, but nobody is being harmed there. But in a place like India, we have heard of so many real tales of father like figures raping young girls. The message here is about women empowerment. One cannot take it lying down; the girl has to speak up and stop the man from continuing the act.”
Talking about his character of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’s Puru Mama, he opines, “I get to do a lot through my eyes. The man is doing quite a lot in an unnoticed manner even when he is staying along with the story. It is not a straight faced role, and such roles are always exciting for an actor.”
Rituraj who has been in the industry for many years, knows most of the actors and unit members in the team of Yeh Rishta. “It is a lovely team to work with. I know Rajan from the time he was a director. Shivangi Joshi who plays Naira, was my second daughter from Beintehaa. In real life she calls me Abbu even today (Smiles). Ali Hassan and I have an association from the days of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, and he calls me Pops. I know Romesh Kalra for 23 years, from the time he was an AD. Also, all the actors are very down to earth. Mohsin Khan who plays Kartik is such a sweet boy. He is a lovely child, very down to earth and full of respect.”
Talking about the double-faced nature of his character, Rituraj states, “Puru mama has a good interpersonal relationship going with all characters and this is really good. He is so fond of Kartik, at the same time is hitting on his wife (laughs). It can’t get more double-faced than this. While Kartik remains clueless, Puru is eyeing his wife from under his nose. I am afraid how badly my character will get hit when the truth will come out (smiles). Having said this, if a person does a wrong act, he definitely needs to get hit. Let us see if Puru Mama gets away with it.”
Rituraj has been in the limelight, for this character has gotten popular. “It is just a cameo but it feels good to be in the limelight. I have been getting many calls for television offers, when I had left this medium long back. I don’t want to be locked up in a work again. I took this role only because it was a cameo. I have enjoyed doing all kinds of roles, whether it is the comic character or the negative ones, or dual personalities like this one. Every experience makes you a better actor. And I am glad that I am getting such opportunities.”
Way to go, Rituraj!!
