MUSBA HASHMI speaks with VAIBHAV MATHUR, who plays Teeka Ram in &TV’s Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai, about how he came on board for the role and responsibility that comes with playing such characters, among other things
Much before the infamous gamcha was brought in trend by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cover the nose and mouth during the COVID-19 pandemic, Teeka Ram was already flaunting one. A lose t-shirt paired up with a jeans, a gamcha and a pair of chappals with a smirky smile on face, Teeka Ram is among one of the favourite characters from &TV’s much loved show Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai.
Meet Vaibhav Mathur aka Teeka, a born artist who from his school days knew that his passion lies in acting. “I come from a kayasth family, where education is of utmost importance. My father is from the agricultural industry and my mother is a lecturer, so I was expected to become a scholar, which I did but I was not inclined towards taking the conventional career path. Since my childhood, I was into drawing and painting. My teachers predicted that I will do something different. However, I didn’t have any idea what will it be, back then,” Mathur tells you.
Mathur’s acting career started as early as he was in school. “I was in Class XII when my father told me that I should think of pursuing my craft. He told me that theatre was picking up pace and I could try my hands in that. I gave it a thought and enrolled myself into a drama academy. I went on doing theatres for around 12 years and then thought of shifting to Mumbai to earn a living. There, I had my struggle days and after some time I started getting ads and then got a few shows. This is how my acting journey started,” he tells you.
Mathur, before doing Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai, was also a part of F.I.R. both of which are directed by Shashank Bali.
“I share a good rapport with Shashank sir. Though, my part in F.I.R. was not that big and I entered the show very late but I enjoyed doing it. Once that show got over, I told Shashank sir that I would like to be a part of his future projects as well. He assured me that he would reach out to for the same. After sometime, I got a call from him asking what was I upto these days. I told him that I am looking for work. He asked me to come and meet him for a role. I knew that he was coming up with something great once again.
Once I met him, he told me that I am playing a tantrik and I have to showcase my skills to the best. I enacted the same and he was convinced. Then he offered me to play Teeka, a roadside loafer and I was all set for it,” Mathur recalls.
He tells you that he never thought that the character would gain such fame. “I had never imagined that Teeka would become a household name. I am overwhelmed with the audience’s response. The other day I met a fan who told me that he had named his children Teeka and Malkhan, because they are extremely naughty. It felt great. It is good to know that people are respecting you in whichever way and recognising you. I am glad that the character helps them have a good laugh,” he says.
An actor is all about improvising and adding minute details in his character and that is what Mathur abides by. “Whatever role I play, I make sure that I give it a twist. I try to add certain elements in the character. For Teeka, as well, from day one I tried to evolve the character as much. Also, our director Shashank Bali was confident that whatever I will do with the character will only enhance it.
The script is undoubtedly very well-written, however we have got the space to add some extra mirch-masala. Take for example, when Teeka laughs while covering his mouth with gamcha. It is all natural. There are people that do that. It is like he is trying not to mock someone directly but in a satirical way. He usually does this when Tiwari ji or Vibhuti ji gets insulted, so he enjoys that,” he tells you.
When you play such roles — a roadside romeo — there comes extra responsibility to not go over the top and hurt the audience’s sentiments. “The character Teeka, though a loafer, is written and portrayed with utmost responsibility. There’s decency in him. This character is not fictional, it is there in every nook and corner of the society. However, I try my best to not cross the line. For example, when Teeka and Malkhan try to impress a girl, the girl slaps them and walk away. The two, automatically start singing romantic songs, just to suggest they are not taking it on their egos. They are similar to gali’s loafers who can never hurt their neighbours,” he says.
Mathur says that he had already worked with most of the actors in F.I.R and that it did help to maintain the chemistry in this show as well. “I have worked with Yogesh Tripathi (who plays Happu Singh) and also Saanand Verma (who plays Saxena ji) before. Though we didn’t have too many sequences together but yes we know each other well. This helps in building the chemistry and improve the comic timing,” he says.
He tells you that the atmosphere on the sets can easily be figured out watching them on screen. “The working environment is as lively. We enjoy as much as we do on screen. Everyone pour in their acting skills. There are senior actors too on the sets, so we maintain mutual respect but we have a lot of fun. If the working environment is not good or as comfortable you will not be able to do as good on camera,” Mathur says.
He adds that he will never turn away a similar role because it has earned him all the name and fame. “This role is close to my heart. And if in future I will be offered similar roles, I would never say no. But as an actor, it is my responsibility to explore new characters and new genres. So my focus will be on trying different things,” he says.
