Actor Sanjay Kapoor, who is remembered for films like Raja, Sirf Tum, Auzar and other multi-starrer films, is now seen on the small screen in Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara on Star Plus.

Kapoor, the younger brother of Bollywood actor Anil Kapor, will be seen romancing a girl half his age in this serial.

The show, which is on air from 23 October, is the story of a young girl Ahana Raichand (Smriti Kalra), who falls for a middle-aged, father of two and widower Anant Mathur (Sanjay Kapoor). Interestingly, Ahana’s mother, Laila Raichand (Niki Aneja) too has a liking for Mathur. The actor shared about the show and his daughter joining the film industry.

Excerpts:

The concept seems to be quite bold. Do you think society will accept it?

It is not a bold subject, you can call it progressive. There is no bold scene in this show, but the thought is bold. This is what happening in our society and it depicts the same.

You have joined the small screen after a long time. What attracted you to this show?

In this serial, I am playing the role of Ananth Mathur, a very successful, decent and kind man, who loves his family. He is like an ideal man. There were many things in the show, which attracted me. Most of the shows these days are woman-centric but not this one. Of course, women are playing important roles but man is more important here. I think this is the perfect role for me because I have been looking for this sort of scripts and characters.

In this show, you are playing the husband of a girl half of your age. Do you think, it is acceptable to society?

You would have never asked the same question if women were older. You know the wife of the actor Shashi Kapoor was 14 year older than him and they had the most perfect marriage. Age is just a number, what matters most is the communication. It is not that if two people are of the same age they will have good communication. With a younger husband, the girl can party, go for outings, watch movies, but when it comes to communication they need mature people. It has been proven women are more mature than men. In my real life too, my 12 year daughter was more mature than my 12-year-old son. Communication with a mature man is much better for a woman.

You are very much on and off television. Why is it so?

I am not on and off but I am either on or off. I did Karishma -The Miracle of Destiny (2003-04), a long time back. Then I was busy with films and production. Somewhere television people thought I am not interested in television and maybe that was the reason I was not getting offers. I did get some offers but nothing materialised and sometimes the role was not powerful or the script was not appealing.

Most of the time, an actor makes it a prestige issue when it comes to small screen. What’s your take on this?

I don’t think so. Let me tell you one thing, many big hits films, like Baahubali, do more business on television than theatre. Similarly, television actors get more eyeballs than film actors as they have more outreach and audience.

How is the working culture different from each other?

Working hours at the both places is same. You are working as much in a movie today. Another thing in television is that it is time bound. As it is known that the next episode has to go this Monday, it means you have to complete it before Monday anyhow.

There have been reports that your daughter,Shanaya Kapoor, is also keen to join the film industry?

Yes, she is. I encourage her because it is a great medium but it is really tough. I always tell her I can only guide. After that it is only her hard work that will work. You know that everyday around one lakh people come to Mumbai to become an actor.