Roshesh is not gay: Rajesh Kumar

He is every mother's dream come true! He is the ultimate object of ridicule…yet, he is adorable and funny. Meet Rajesh Kumar, who plays Roshesh, the sweet, shy and perfectly 'straight' younger brother in Star One's popular comedy, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. In a voice that makes us wonder if he is the same guy who speaks with an upper-class twang in the serial, Rajesh tells us how he became an actor by fluke. Rajesh, who comes across as a very down to earth, simple person, has made his mark in a serial that has veteran actors playing important roles. He spoke to Ananya Sengupta, on life before and after Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai.

Rajesh Kumar: Mamma's boy!

So how does it feel to be Roshesh?

It is only because of Roshesh that I get interviewed. (Laughs) It's great! Frankly, I never thought I could do justice to Roshesh's character. But…

You doubted your abilities...

Seriously? Yes, I did. I played a psycho in Sony's Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, a character with shades of grey in Kkusum…, but comedy…never! I don't know how Aatish (Kapadia) and JD (Majethia) zeroed in on me. But really, I am indebted to them.

So how was the experience?

Frankly, it was scary as hell. Consider this -- I had no experience in making people laugh, I had to have a definite accent, I had to inculcate a very high upper class attitude and I had to stand up to Satish Shah and Ratna Pathak…and this in every episode…

This brings me to the next question…how did you get the accent?

It took me 20 days to get the accent right. I worked on it all the time. Like, when I was driving or talking to people. You know I would go to posh restaurants and try to find characters who resembled Roshesh, and believe me, I would come across quite a few!

So what did you do when you finally hit upon the correct intonation?

Well, I did the best thing that could have been done. I called up Aatish and spoke to him as Roshesh. He was taken up…and then things just fell into place. I knew the part was good, but it turned out to be better than I expected. Now I often wonder agar khasi ho gayi to kya karoonga….( If I catch a cold then what?)

Because of this many think that your character is gay...

Roshesh is not gay! He has a girlfriend. But I don't blame the audience, he behaves like that...

How was it acting alongside Satish Shah and Ratna Pathak?

Firstly, let me tell you that Satishji behaves with me as if I am really Roshesh, the dumb younger son in the family, who cannot be taken seriously. So I am the butt of jokes for him, both on and off screen! As far as Ratna Pathak is

We are a family: Notice Rajesh sitting with Mamma dearest!

concerned, she is like a mother to me…

And are you a mama's boy…

In real life? Totally.

So, did you choose a wife according to your mother's choice?

That I didn't do! (laughs) But everything is fine now….

Tell me did you always know you were going to be an actor?

Actor? Never. I had come to Mumbai to visit my pregnant sister and stayed on when I started getting offers.

Why did you suddenly disappear from Kkusum?

Well, Kkusum's whole family disappeared. Only her mother stayed on. This is what always happens when the tracks are not well cut out. But anyway, it is better to sit at home than sit on the sets doing twiddling your thumbs.

So what do you do when you are not shooting?

I cook. Anything cooked with paneer is my speciality. I am teaching my wife to cook. In fact, I am going to cook tonight too…my bai is on leave!