Badhaai Ho actor GajrajRao turns grandfather for PariWar- Pyaar Ke Aagey War, a dramedy packed with punches

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Actor Gajraj Rao has been promoted! While he has added fresh dimensions to a father’s role in the past, be it in TVF series Fathers, or the movies Badhai Ho and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, with his next web series, PariWar – Pyaar Ke Aagey War, Gajraj has promoted himself into playing a grandfather’s role. He says, “For me, the script is like the Bible and I follow it quite literally. From ages, supporting roles, like that of a father, villain or brother in Bollywood, have been written with the same passion. The only difference could be that the audience is not just focused on the lead actors now.”

So is he content with the kind of roles he is being offered? “Well, of course, but if you say is it enough, then it’s not! Abhi meine kiya hi kya hai?” he quips. Being in the film industry since 1994, he may not have a long list to boast of but his presence was felt in each role he essayed. Right after Badhaai Ho, which he considers the sole reason for the recognition he enjoys today, Gajraj’s conscious decision to not let the audience or directors bracket his acting, paid him big time. It also speaks volumes about the passion he had for acting, which continued along with his advertising company Code Red Films.

His upcoming movie, Maidaan, is a biopic, starring Ajay Devgn as famous football coach Syed Abdul Rahim. There’s wide range of characters that Gajraj wants to do but for now he would settle for a biography, either a movie or a series. He says, “A biography is something that will excite me. I would like to play BR Ambedkar or some historical figure on screen.”

Terrific trio

From the last release Lootcase to now PariWar, while much changes in terms of characters and story line, but the trio of phenomenal actors – Gajraj, Vijay Raaz and Ranveer Shorey – remains the same. “I enjoyed working with them and both are great actors; they bring a lot on to the table with their mere names.” With the pandemic changing the way shootings happen, Gajraj is adapting, “It is for our safety. In our building complex also a few people got affected and there is news of people dying every day. We must take precautions at home and at workplaces.”

Comic drama

PariWar, as the name suggests, is about a dysfunctional family, headed by Gajraj, with his sons fighting over a piece of land. The comedy and drama created by the situation is what makes it an interesting watch. He says, “I think the biggest takeaway from the series is that family is important for us.”

(PariWar will be available to Hotstar subscribers as well as non-subscribers for free and is premiering today)