No one offers me comedy: Anup Soni

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Anup Soni, who is seen as the supportive and progressive father-in-law to a 10-year-old girl in hit TV show 'Balika Vadhu', says he wants to do comedy, but nobody is offering him funny roles.

'No one offers me comedy because I have always done serious roles. So they (producers and directors) don't want to take a chance,' Anup told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

'In fact, NDTV approached me for the Hindi version of 'Seinfeld' (a popular American sitcom) but ultimately they signed Gaurav Gera for it. Gaurav has been doing comedies since a long time and they felt he suited the character better,' he added.

In his career spanning over a decade now, the actor managed just one comedy serial 'I Love You' with Shruti Ulfat. He featured in serious roles in TV shows like 'Saaya', 'CID-Special Bureau', 'Remix' and 'Virrudh'.

About his role in 'Balika Vadhu', which deals with the social evil of child marriage, Anup said: 'When I was signed for the show, I was sure that the audience would like it. But the response it has got is totally unexpected.

'The popularity of a show like 'Balika Vadhu' is a clear indication of the fact that the audiences are tired of watching saas-bahu sagas.'

When asked about the child prodigy Avika Gor, who plays his daughter-in-law in the show, Anup was all praises for the girl.

'She is the most important aspect of the show. Avika is intelligent, bright and quite mature for her age. She grasps things very quickly, which simplifies the whole shooting process,' he said.

Presently in high spirits owing to the rising popularity of 'Balika Vadhu', Anup says he is not so content with the way his career has shaped up.

'I am not absolutely happy with the way my career has shaped up because I expected a little more success but still I am happy because I did my work honestly and tried to put in as much variety as possible,' he said.

Though the actor has been associated with films like 'Apharan', 'GangaaJal', 'Hathyar', 'Deewanapan' and 'Fiza' apart from others, he says he is 'not trying extra hard to get roles in films'.

'I want to maintain a balance between TV and films. The time that I get from the one or two shows that I do on TV, I utilise it to do films. It was a conscious decision to do just one or two serials at a time since I didn't want things to go out of control. When I concentrate on just one role at a given point, it rejuvenates me as an actor,' Anup said.

On the anvil, the actor has two Bollywood projects - Chandan Mitra's 'Striker' and another yet-to-be-titled Nagesh Kukunoor film. Both the films are scheduled for early 2009 release.

Anup is also working in a play with Nadira Babbar. It is titled 'Pencil Se Brush Tak'.