Sharad Kelkar: At 48, I can't play a college student
is making his television comeback with Tumm Se Tumm Tak. The Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah show, featuring Niharika Chouksey, revolves around a May-December romance.
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Sharad admits he was initially hesitant to take it on. In a chat with Mumbai Mirror, he says, 'I never overcommit, because when that happens, it usually ends on a bad note. Most TV shows today are extremely demanding, often requiring 25 to 30 days a month. With my film, web series, voiceover, and hosting commitments, it was tough to commit fully. But I loved the concept and the character. I wanted something real and age-appropriate.
I'm 48 — I can't play a college boy. It has to feel authentic. Everything fell into place beautifully, and here I am.'
The actor has seamlessly transitioned across mediums — television, film, and OTT — something many struggle with due to the lingering 'TV actor' tag. His approach has always been clear. 'I never wanted to be a star; I wanted to be an actor. When that's your mindset, the path becomes simpler. If you're good enough, you'll become a hero anyway,' he says, adding, 'I've played lead roles on TV for years.
Others may have done it briefly, but I lived that phase.
During Saat Phere, the fame I experienced as Nahar Singh — honestly, even some A-listers may not have had that.'
He had this clarity early in his career. He recalls, 'Around 18 years ago, I was shooting Saat Phere, the show was number one, but I wasn't nominated for an award. At a party, I asked someone from the channel why, and they replied, 'Do you want to be a star or an actor?' That question changed everything — I chose to be remembered as an artiste.'
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Reflecting on his journey, he shares, 'I was an MBA graduate headed for a corporate job. I had dreams of joining the defence services, but that didn't work out. I even worked as a fitness trainer. I kept wondering, what am I really doing with my life? I had explored several paths and done well in each. So, when I got into acting, I told myself, 'At least learn the craft properly'. The process of learning, unlearning, and growing — it's still on.
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