Exclusive! Raj Babbar, Padmini Kolhapure get nostalgic about the 80s

Insaaf Ka Taraazu actors Raj Babbar and Padmini Kolhapure have come back, this time for OTT. The two are seen in Dil Bekaraar, which co-incidentally is based in the 80s. OTTplay and the actors recently interacted about the era, why it is called magical and what will attract people towards it.

Excerpts from the interview...

We all remember you both from four decades ago in Insaaf Ka Taraazu. Co-incidentally that film also released in the 80s and now you are doing a show based on the era...

Padmini: Suddenly it doesn't feel so long ago. We recreated that in Dil Bekaraar. When you work with Raj ji and Poonam who have been a part of the 80s and then you reconnect, it's just like you take off from where you left. It's very strange because it doesn't seem that long.

Raj: The show has the innocence of the 80s but it is very modern. 80s was a tragic period. That transition has come now. The children from that time how now grown up with so many things. Mobile started then. When we say it is the 80s, it doesn't mean that we say hello only in person. There is a different and modern approach in this during that time. You will also see the growth in Dil Bekaraar.

Since you guys are actors from that era, did you bring that experience on sets and contribute something more to the show?

Raj: This whole subject is based there. It has nothing to do with whether we have brought a change in the subject. This show is about the magical era of 80s, when there was innocence. Everything was there in the subject. A lot of credit goes to the book, Those Pricey Thakur Girls and Habib Faisal saab for his way of adopting the subject. When your parents watch this subject, they will love it because they will be amused to see how similar it is to the 80s. You will see how Habib Faisal has recreated the 80s era for the youngsters and people who grew up in the 80s. It is very interesting and nostalgic for us too since we have also grown up in the 80s, even career wise. It was the era when Padmini and Poonam Ji's great performances were in front of us. We have all worked together and doing it again. Lots of things are combined. The set design are especially to be credited for when you see the show, you will feel like you have seen such houses.

Raj sir, how are you managing a career between politics and acting? What keeps you going?

In one word if I say, I am known as an actor. In a social commitment, they mention my name as actor and then the other adjective. God is kind, producer sir and directors are very kind. I'm starting with a good digital platform.

You have grown up in Delhi. Did that help you understand the character better and bring that forth in the series?

Yes, definitely. Most of the time, I have lived here in Mumbai. I spent a decade in Delhi and four decades in Mumbai. So, yes, I have that feeling but more than that, Habib has brought so many things which we missed at that time.

Delhites usually have an accent. So did you bring that to the show?

This is a classy family. However, you will see such characters too. Delhi ke aas paas ka zaika aapko milega. Yes, there is a little accent. You also see Dilliwala food and golgappa.

Ma'am, has your character been changed from the book?

Definitely, the character is different. I haven't read the book so I don't know how it is portrayed in the book. It is a different character for sure.

Raj sir, have you read the book?

I have read the book but let me say that Habib has created this character but not gone out of the lines. Woh zaika bahut mazedaar hai. You will love it, especially the way Padmini ji has portrayed the character. Everybody's eyes on sets were on her.

Ma'am, what would you say will be able to connect the generation after 2000s to the show? Because even the 90s kids are fascinated with the 80s to an extent but the younger generation takes its own time to connect.

The younger generation loves remixing retro songs. 80s is a magical era. We all have been and lived there. Today's generation will be intrigued to know what was so magical about the era.

What are your upcoming projects?

Raj: I'm doing one or two subjects. I have one with Poonam ji also but let's see how things go.

Poonam: My immediate next project is the song recreation of Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubaaran from my movie Prem Rog. I've sung for it and am also a part of the song.