Quitting Saat Phere was essential Sharad Kelkar

The entertainment industry is full of rags to riches stories. Stories where people without any filmy background have made it big in the industry. Stories where people have survived nights on pavements before hitting the jackpot and buying bungalows. And stories where people have reigned the industry for decades after being rejected initially. Sharad Kelkar, better known as Nahar from Saat Phere falls a bit in all these categories. The Maharastrian guy who was brought up in Gwalior, started his career as a gym instructor in Gwalior. That too, after completing an MBA! And then, landed up in Mumbai to participate in Mr India, when the Bollywood bug bit him. There was no looking back for the handsome hunk. Few years, and a couple of hit serials later, Sharad Kelkar was a name to reckon with in the television industry. Tellychakkar spoke to him about his future plans and life after his knee injury. On his knee injury and the operation. I have been neglecting this for quite a long time now. First it was a ligament rupture and later on it was unbearable pain. I knew I had to do something about it, but could not take a break because of the heavy schedule. But in the first week of March, I could not bear it any more and requested Sphere Origin (the producers of SP) to spare me. Initially they were trying to solve the problem by changing the script, and wanted me to continue after recovering. But since the doctor had adviced me complete rest for few months after the operation, I had to decline their offer. The doctor told me strictly not to strain or stand for long hours after the operation. To ensure a smooth transition, I even shot on the day (March 31) I got operated upon. I did not want to disturb the show which gave me so much. On life after the operation. Don't ask me! There are so many precautions I have to take. I can't put on weight, I can't jog or jump and I am not even allowed to do cardio. I am taking things a bit easy now since it is not even a month that I had this operation. But one lesson I have taken is about my diet which I am taking very seriously nowadays. I am making a conscious effort to cut down on alcohol and fatty foods like chocolates and ice cream. I have to eat more green vegetables. Kirti is taking care of these things. I will also try to do pranayam to keep fit. This knee surgery has taught me a big lesson on taking care of my health first. On quitting Saat Phere It was a real tough decision to take. But it was required. The knee operation and the leap of Saat Phere happened almost at the same time and it was a good coincidence for me. But to be very honest with you, I would not have liked to continue in the older role. I feel I have done justice to Nahar's role but I would not be able to do justice to it after the leap. On life after Saat Phere It has been close to four years since I am working in this show. It became my life and home. I am missing the unit like anything. I am a very fun loving person and gelled with everyone on the set. I was very friendly with the spot boys also and they liked me a lot. A lot of my colleagues called me after my operation and wished me a speedy recovery. I am hoping to meet them soon on the sets. On his new look I have been shaving for almost everyday in the last few years for the show. I thought now is the right time to experiment with my looks and see how people react. Kirti likes my new look better. But, she is the person who will like me in any look (smiles)! On never-ending daily soaps I am not the right person to comment on that. But it's true that shows lose the charm and excitement beyond a point. The concerned decision makers should understand this. For example, when writer Purnendu Shekhar left the show in the mid way, I lost my interest. I was very comfortable with him and liked the way he approached the storyline. I must say that after he left the show, the storyline was affected a lot. He is a brilliant writer and knows human relationships very well. Saat Phere is not about Saloni alone. The concept was not just to show a dark girl marrying a Rajput but it says how new relationship changed her life. Purnendu understood this very well and could work accordingly. On his initial days as an actor (smiles) I think I was very raw, immature and took lots of time to enact my scenes. I am truly indebted to my director and other colleagues for bearing with me. I was surrounded by actors like Mohan Bhandari, Neena Gupta and Surekha Sikri and thus learned a lot and from this show. All the other shows that I did -- Sindoor, Rock N Roll as an anchor, and Nach Baliye as a participant, were outcomes of this. On what he has gained in the last few years Apart from experience, fame and money I am really lucky to get a bunch of good friends. They are all very close to me and we don't have any bad blood between us. Manav-Shweta, Sai-Shakti, Shabbir, we all are great pals. All of us are just a phone call away for each other. On his future plans. As I have said earlier, it will take a few months to recover from my surgery. But I am open to television and even theatre after I am back. I think theatre gives an actor a big opportunity to improve his acting skills and also get immediate feedback. Films according to me is sheer luck. I want to learn martial arts also. And you won't believe, I had requested a trainer to come and meet me. Within a few days of my meeting I had this surgery. What a bad coincidence! On plans of starting a family (smiles) Not this year for sure! Actually we friends (Hussain-Tina, Shakti-Sai, Manav-Shweta) are all planning to go the family way at the same time! This will enable us to get a bulk discount from the hospital (laughs)! And can also help each other while growing our kids!