Sunil and I cherish the fact that we look like each other : Kunal Kumar

Changing and replacing faces on television shows is not a new phenomenon. Recently, Kunal Kumar replaced Sunil Grover to play the lead role, Balu, in SAB's silent comedy, Gutur Gu. TellyChakkar caught up with Kunal who looks very similar to Sunil and has put in nine long years in the film and television industry. Excerpts from the interview: Was it difficult for you to step into Sunil Grover's shoes considering he was playing this role for six months? Not really! When the makers approached me for Balu's role I was more than happy. Sunil is a very dear friend and we get along very well. We always pay compliments to each other though people get confused with the characters we play on screen. So we used to laugh about it and always cherished the fact that we look alike. The director of Gutur Gu -- Prabal Baruah is humble and very dedicated towards his profession. One learns a lot while working with him. In my nine years of working experience, I had never worked with Fireworks and decided to take up the challenge. How did you prepare for this role? I have got few DVDs of earlier episodes so I had a fair idea of the character and the show. I watched it many times to get into the character and the body language. I also watch a lot of Charlie Chaplin and Mr Bean -- they are my favourites. After I agreed to do the show and before the shooting started, I had some time on hand so I began observing a lot of people like on a railway station. Watching people is a great way of learning and nothing can be compared with it. I used to carry a small handycam and would capture all the movements. In fact, once the cops caught me after they became suspicious of me taking a video of the station. Only after I told them about my new role did they let me go! Plus they also thought I was Sunil Grover. I must also mention that the cast of Gutur Gu is immensely loving and closely knit. There are no egos and tantrums. We all work as a team and that's why the end product is so good. Do you think you have finally arrived with Balu's role? I guess everything has its own time. The right thing happens at the right time. I am blessed that I got a chance to portray this character. Obviously there will be a lot of pressure but I want to perform in my own style. You have also done a number of films.... Yes! There was a time when I realised I might get a film award for playing the hero's friend the maximum number of times! I started with Saathiya and then did films like Bardasht, Namaste London, Main Hoon Na, Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi and Kaise Kahen. I have a few films ready for release. Laxmanrekha, Kuch Love Jaisa, Payback, Hook Ya Crook. I have also directed eight short films and got awards for that as well. We have heard photography is your hobby… Yes, I have this habit of taking pictures on my mobile which I started four years back and I have a huge collection of this. I have worked with Abhishek Bachchan, Lara Dutta in films and they have appreciated my work and have photographs clicked by me in their personal collection. What are the other projects you are working on? I am not in a hurry. I am also working with Suresh Menon and Raju Srivastav in a show for Masti. I have never run behind numbers and always preferred quality over quantity. I started my career working in shows like Kkusum, Kahani Ghar Ghar ki, Kumkum, Astitva and mostly in negative characters. The Great Indian Comedy show gave me the opportunity to prove my capability as an actor. I have played characters inspired by people like Manmohan Singh, L K Advani, Yashwant Sinha. It takes a lot of guts to perform those characters.