Actor Harsh Chhaya talks about Papaji from *Undekhi and a special conversation with writer Salim Khan about his performance

MUMBAI: Actor Harsh Chhaya is known for his versatility, having done shows like Hasratein, Tara, and Swabhimaan. He has also acted in films like Company, Dum, Saaya, Janasheen, Ramji Londonwaley, Corporate, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, and Mithya, among many others. However, in recent times, one character that has really surprised the audience is Papaji from Undekhi. Critics and fans were both pleasantly surprised to see Harsh in that role.

Talking about his experience, Harsh says, “Undekhi was the culmination of many experiences over time. After stepping away from daily soaps, my next step was to seek out roles in films with substantial character parts. It was enjoyable to start with cameos and brief scenes, but eventually, I found myself typecast in those roles. I returned to the screen with OTT platforms in 2019. When I was reading the script of Undekhi, two characters truly stood out to me—Rinku and the DSP. Papaji, although interesting, seemed more of a plot trigger. I channeled all my angst into my portrayal of Papaji and did the best I could with the material at hand.”

Harsh is candid about the feedback he has received after Undekhi. He says, “People do ask me about the positive outcome of Undekhi, but no, it has not translated into anything substantial yet. However, I am hopeful that over time, it will. Meanwhile, I’m grateful that everyone involved in the making of Undekhi appreciated my effort enough to give my character a very decent space in Season 3.”

He also adds, “I feel there is a resistance. Even if some producers and directors have come to me with responsible parts and good screen time after Undekhi, somewhere along the line, there seem to be favorites in the business, and most do not move out of their set groups. But that’s usual. One can only hope there will be a change in the near future.”

Harsh was thrilled when he received praise from a great writer like Salim Khan for his role as Papaji. Sharing that experience, he says, “After the first season, I received a call from actor Arbaaz Khan, who appreciated my work. He mentioned that his father, Salim Khan, was so impressed that he wanted to congratulate me personally. The legend himself came on the line and spoke to me. He told me that one couldn’t deliver the kind of performance I did unless they knew such a person. I told him he was right—I’m from Delhi and have encountered similar people. Salim Khan then shared how the character of Soorma Bhopali was based on someone he had met in Bhopal. It was a warm, fulfilling conversation with Salim Khan.”

With his vast experience, Harsh also understands the changing dynamics of storytelling and audience engagement in this new era. He adds, “As the audience becomes more accustomed to international content, we’ll need to be increasingly competitive here, which might be a good thing. However, with shorter attention spans, it’s challenging to keep viewers engaged. An OTT series typically has a twist every five minutes. If this trend continues, it might impact certain storytelling styles.”