Rajkumar Hirani has told me he will offer me a significant role someday : Rohitash Gaur

Strange but true that though Rohitash Gaur has been around for quite some time and has acted in films like Munnabhai MBBS, A Wednesday, Lage Raho Munnabhai and Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge, it’s only after Lapataganj, that people have begun noticing him. Doesn’t he feel bad about recognition coming his way a bit late in the day? He has been around for close to two decades now and apart from the small roles he has done in films, he is not new to television either. He has worked in Kagaz Ki Kashti, Jasuben Jayantilal Joshi Ki Family, Bhanvar and many more episodics over the years and seems to be tasting success only now with the runaway success of Lapataganj. He smiles, “The same thing happened with Surekha Sikri as well. She has proved herself on the big screen and then came and ruled the small screen. Today whenever she gets an award, a standing ovation comes with it. I think, recognition for a good actor may come late, but it does come." Being around for a more than a decade, the actor who hails from Himachal Pradesh is nostalgic when he says, “Actually, when I look back at my career, I realize I have worked a lot with Raman Kumar." A National School of Drama graduate (1989), Rohitash worked with the NSD Theater Company for six years. “During those days, I worked a lot with actresses like Seema Biswas and Himani Shivpuri. I have also worked for some time with Ashvini Dheer, who is the director of Lapataganj.” The actor had worked with Dheer in shows like Sifarishlaal and Public Hai Ye Sab Janti Hai. So in a way, it is known terrain for him in Lapataganj. “Actually, I always thought there would be a day when Ashvini and I will work for a very good and big show. Lapataganj turned out to be that," he smiles. It has been on air for one-and-a-half-years and also stars Sucheta Khanna, Abbas Khan, Preeti Amin, Vineet Kumar. How did he get the break in Lapataganj? “One day, Ashvini called me and just asked me to act as Mukundilaal in front of the camera! It was as simple as that,” he says, adding, “Mukundi is a very simple character. He does not make any effort to make people laugh, but his sarcastic take on current situations makes the whole environment fun-filled.” The actor feels the script has a major role to play in the success of the serial. “The way Sharad Joshi has written the story is very good. Hats off to the broadcasters for the courage to put this concept on air and trying something so fresh,” says the actor who had read the original book in school. Is the serial very different from the book? “I had read the novel when I was in Class X. There are some changes in the script as it always happens. But the essence is the same.” Rohitash’s chemistry with his on-screen wife Sucheta has been the topic of discussion amongst viewers and critics. “She is very talented. Though she is not from theatre, her comic timing is immensely good. People like our on-screen chemistry and that helps us to enact the comic scenes better.” So will his film career take a backseat now? He says, “Rajkumar Hirani is a very dear friend of mine. He has told me that some day he will offer me a very significant role. Will wait for that.”