New Delhi, March 20 (IANS): Actor Rajesh Kumar will take over "Neeli Chhatri Waale" from Bollywood actor Yashpal Sharma, who has quit the TV show owing to the long-running format of the small screen.

Rajesh, still remembered for his portrayal of Rosesh Sarabhai in TV show "Sarabhai vs Sarabhai", will join the cast of the Zee TV show as lead protagonist Bhagwan Das.

With the change, Rajesh hopes to surpass the level created by Yashpal.

"It is a challenge for me to step into veteran actor Yashpal's shoes. I hope that I will be able to do justice with my new role and will not disappoint mine and Yashpal ji's fan”," Yashpal said in a statement.

However, Yashpal, known for movies like "Gangaajal", "Lagaan" and "Ab Tak Chhappan", says love for theatre prompted the decision to leave the world of small screen.

"I had signed up for a certain number of episodes when we started off and have completed my end of the contract. I'm happy to have explored working in the television space, but didn't want to be associated with a show which runs for five years. I also miss films and theatre, and want to focus on that," Yashpal said in a statement.

The weekend show narrates Bhagwan's journey of listening to his inner voice through conversations with god.

"At a point where Yashpal decided to move on to films and theatre, we couldn't have asked for a more suitable actor than Rajesh to step into his shoes. He will lend the right blend of inherent good nature, natural innocence and simplicity that a role like Bhagwan Das need," said Namit Sharma, the channel's programming head.