By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, July 19 (IANS): Comedian actor Kiku Sharda finds it hard to juggle the shooting of four different shows simultaneously as it's taking a toll on his health and family life.
Rues Kiku: "I have 'Akbar-Birbal', 'F.I.R.', 'Comedy Nights With Kapil' and 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' to shoot all at once. It is an impossible schedule. I am shooting for 18 to 20 hours everyday. I get barely four hours of sleep.
"I don't get to see my kids at home, so I invite them on the sets...time management has become a very big problem."
The actor who was seen as his onscreen avatar as Palak in "Jhalak..." as well, will now be seen as Kiku himself on the dance reality show.
Also, to ease the strain on his schedule, Kiku had taken a break from one of his serials.
"I had taken time off from 'F.I.R.' for three months. But its makers didn't like my absence. I don't blame them. To me, every serial is equally important. And if they felt I was neglecting them, they've every reason to pull me up. So I am back to shooting 'F.I.R.'. That means, extra burden on my time. I have no choice but to cope.
"Jhalak..." and Palak, says Kiku, have been the biggest source of strength and stress for him.
"It's not that I don't enjoy doing both. I love 'Jhalak...' and I love Palak. And I love bringing Palak to 'Jhalak...', but bringing them together on one platform is way too exhausting.
"I've to constantly think of dancing, and of dancing like a woman with feminine expressions. Plus, I've to plan songs that two women, 'Palak' and my choreographer can perform together. Now when I am myself on the show, I've much more freedom to express myself," he said.
Kiku says dancing on "Jhalak..." is an exhausting job.
""I am shooting the whole day. Then in the evening when I'm exhausted I am dancing vigorously on the show. It's not the easiest of things to do. Luckily, 'Jhalak...' is a finite show. There are some more weeks before it wraps up. Then I can breathe a little easier," he said.
The popularity of Kiku's creation Palak grows by the week. Kiku says he loves Palak.
"She has got amazing spirit and energy. In her mind she is a desirable woman with guys breaking down her door. She is one hot woman in her own esteem."
The comic actor admits balancing out three different avatars on "Comedy Nights With Kapil" with other commitments is tough.
"But I am enjoying the challenge of being in so many places at the same time. Which other actor has appeared in one-half of a dance show as a girl and in the second-half as a man?"