Aanjjan Srivastav: No way I could refuse Wagle Ki Duniya

Sumeet Raghavan and Aanjjan Srivastav with the cast of Wagle Ki Duniya - Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey

Over three decades after his career-defining role in Wagle Ki Duniya, Aanjjan Srivastav is reliving his character in Wagle Ki Duniya - Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey. He has started shooting for the rebooted version and hopes "it appeals to today's youngsters and I live up to the expectations."

At 73, Srivastav features in the upcoming Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and in the second season of the web series, Out of Love. "I will continue acting for as long as I can," says the actor, who was last seen on the small screen in Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha (2012). "Shooting for a daily television show is hectic," he admits, adding that despite his "diabetes and blood pressure, I am managing", which includes the daily commute to the set at Mira Road.

The show, penned by Aatish Kapadia and directed by Sameer Kulkarni, takes a time leap forward with the new generation of the Wagles. Besides Srivastav, the show features veteran actor Bharati Achrekar, who also featured in the original, Sumeet Raghavan, Pariva Pranati, Sheehan Kapahi and Chinmayi Salvi. "The series will continue to portray the daily life and issues of middle-class, keeping [the show's] true essence intact," says Srivastav, who now plays the retired Wagle with his son, played by Raghavan. "Initially, when producer JD Majethia approached me, I had my reservations about doing television again. But there was no way I could refuse Wagle Ki Duniya," says the senior actor.

The original, which ran from 1988-90 on Doordarshan, was directed by Kundan Shah. "I had been part of his earlier sitcom, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, which led me to be part of Wagle. Later, Kundan cast me in all his projects. I owe my career to him," says Srivastav, adding that cartoonist-writer RK Laxman was involved at every step of the making, while V Shantaram gave claps. Among those who did a cameo in the show was Shah Rukh Khan, who agreed to be part of the sitcom while prepping for Kabhi Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994).