I will act till I die: Veteran actor Aanjjan Srivastav

Aanjjan Srivastav, the veteran of theatre, TV and cinemas, has lapped up to the technology and was recently seen in Hotstar's web series 'Out of Love'. He says, "Digital medium has done a great job and has opened many avenues for aspiring actors, directors, et al... new directors are coming, and they are doing a great job. I want to do only cinema and web series now I don't want to do TV serial anymore."

"I have started watching a lot of web series now… Digital content is really good, and it is having a great impact," he adds.

About his role in 'Out of Love' he says, "My character, Dr Pradhan starts a hospital in Coonoor after his wife's demise. As he is a bit morose and starts consuming alcohol. He is a type of doctor, who is not bound by any rules and regulations. He wants to solve a patient's problem by rule or not. He is upset about his wife and at the same time he is bound by rules and regulations, which he does not want to follow, he is annoyed and he starts a clinic at the roadside, which is hampering hospital interests… so he is taken out and he becomes a drunkard."

'Out of Love' is based on BBC One's 'Doctor Foster' by Mike Bartlett. Aanjjan informs that he has not watched the original series for his role.

"I have not watched the original series. I have read the script. Tigmanshu Dhulia was my first director and Aijaz Khan was second. Both of them, especially Tigmanshu, explained the character very well to me. And with that narration, there was no need to watch the original series."

The series stars Rasika Dugal and Purab Kohli in lead roles. About working with the cast, he says: "New crop of actors are very well trained. They are very good actors and I really liked working with them."

'Out of Love' has been entirely shot in Coonoor. "The location for the series is Coonoor and it was a fitting site for the story. Coonoor is very beautiful and we have enjoyed filming there," he says.

Born and raised in Kolkata, Aanjjan Srivastav joined Allahabad Bank in Kolkata as per his father wishes and continued to pursue his passion for acting in plays on the side. Later, with his father's permission, he relocated to Mumbai to further his acting career. Although his career he remained bank employee and retired in 1999.

"I have retired from the bank voluntarily. I have done everything simultaneously (laughs). Got married, raised three kids. Two of them got married and another one will get married soon. My motto is 'just work'… there is no time to turn around and look. Always try to give your best in your work…," he shares.

"I will do the theatre till I die…I started when I was 20 and now, I am 72 and I will act till I am alive," the veteran actor says.

From 1988 to 1990 Aanjjan Srivastav made his mark on television for his portrayal of 'Common man' in RK Laxman's 'Wagle Ki Duniya'.

"'Wagle ki Duniya' will always relevant. The things which were shown at that time are still happening. Money problems of a common man, water problem, etc have become more contemporary now. In Diwali, a common man can buy only one pair because of limitations. Economic, social and political problems were shown in the TV series.

"I remember in one of the episodes we showcased water problems. In the episode, the characters used to save water in vessels and tumblers as there was a huge shortage... At that time this issue came in the edition of India Today and RK Laxman drew a cartoon on the water problem for that magazine and he got inspired from there for that episode."

"'Wagle Ki Duniya' was guarded and supervised by RK Laxman that's why is excellent till today and it was one of the creations that I have acted in," he shares.

About his future plans, he says, "Somebody suggested that my life is very interesting, and it can be good for a web series. That person has asked me to write the events of my life and it could be made like a biopic so that will happen and there are a few short films and web series in the pipeline," he concludes.Veteran actor Aanjjan Srivastav, who is seen in Hotstar's 'Out of Love' says he likes digital medium more and wants to act in web series rather than TV serials...