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The story of Star Plus’s new show, Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji, picks up from where the show Diya Aur Baati Hum left. Sooraj and Sandhya, who were earlier seen playing the lead roles in Diya Aur Baati Hum, have now passed the baton to Kanak Rathi, who plays the role of their daughter, and falls in love with a man named Uma Shankar.

Shining star

Avinesh Rekhi



Amarjot Kaur

The story of Star Plus’s new show, Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji, picks up from where the show Diya Aur Baati Hum left. Sooraj and Sandhya, who were earlier seen playing the lead roles in Diya Aur Baati Hum, have now passed the baton to Kanak Rathi, who plays the role of their daughter, and falls in love with a man named Uma Shankar.

As quoted in the ‘press release’, “Uma Shankar is a simple man having a traditional approach towards life. He’s a purist who has immense faith in his traditions and follows them religiously. He isn’t dominating but his advices are taken very seriously by the people in his town.

Uma Shankar follows the age old ideology which believes that a wife’s role should be:

Karyeshu Dasi: Works like a servant

Karaneshu Mantri: Advises like a minister

Bhojeshu Mata: feeds like a mother

Shayaneshu Ramba: Pleases in bed like the heavenly beauty Rambha

Roopeshu Lakshmi: Beautiful like Goddess Lakshmi

Kshmayeshu Dharitri: Having patience like Earth

Shat dharma yuktah: Woman who has this six virtues

Kula dharma Patni: Good housewife (a married woman who is not employed outside the home)”

In conversation with 32-year-old Chandigarh-born Avinesh Rekhi, who plays the role of Uma Shankar, we talk about the sanskaari content on television, his role, and the story of the show he is acting in. This is the fifth show he will be seen in after Chhal — Sheh Aur Maat, Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Main Na Bhoolungi, and Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap.

Do you actually believe that the parameters of a ‘good wife’ are the ones printed in the release?

No, not at all. But, this is a very different character I am playing and for the first time so. It wasn’t easy for me to play this role, but I am really excited about how this conservative Brahmin changes his viewpoint on women after meeting Kanak Rathi.

Indian television has a strong fixation with sanskaar, at least when it comes to a few shows, so do you think they are quite regressive, in their content?

Television does have a far reach, and most of the time it offers a reference point for people to follow popular trends and culture. I can’t really say about what’s causing this sanskaar obsession, but there are a few shows that do not preach, like Ishqbaaaz. But then, such shows are few and far between.

Tell us about your role...

Uma is a Shiv Bhakt and follows traditions and norms stringently. He does Surya Namaskar every day. He is highly educated and has immense knowledge about culture and values. He lives a conventional life.

In what ways was it difficult for you to relate with the character of Uma Shankar?

Playing the role of Uma Shankar has been a learning experience for me. This character speaks pure Hindi and is an ayurvedic doctor. It was interesting to learn shudh (pure) Hindi, but it was difficult to take up the keto diet. I have worked extensively on my body in the last six months as it will be featured for major parts in the show. And to do justice to my character on screen I’m following a strict ‘Keto’ Diet.

Is there anything in particular, when it comes to your diet, you had to give up on to play the role of Uma Shankar?

So, I start my day with oats and egg white, have brown rice and lentils for lunch, and then have egg white and vegetarian salads for dinner. I had to quit non-vegetarian for the show, which I wanted to quit for a long time. I have eggs because I need proteins.

The sequel of the show brings the much loved audience characters: Bhabho and Meenakshi, along with a fresh cast of Kanak, Ved, Vansh and Uma Shankar taking the legacy forward.

Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji starts from April 3, on Star Dopahar at 1 pm.

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