”Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii changed my life”, Kiran Karmarkar gets candid about the show’s rerun on Star Plus

Kiran Karmarkar, a dynamic actor, played the lead on national television's favourite show with an epic run 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii'. His character of 'Om Agarwal' became a household name due to the intricate storylines of the show.

Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii returns to the small screen, with its re-run, on Star Plus. Let's find out what Kiran Karmarkar thinks about it.

1. How do you feel about 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii' making a comeback?

I'm happy it's making a comeback on Star Plus, starting from 2nd August, every Monday to Sunday from 3:30 to 4:30. It is great to know that everyone still remembers the show and it's back on national television after 14 years.

There has been no other place where people could watch the show, but now they will be able to watch it all from the beginning. It has become a part of my identity now, as people recognise me as 'Om' from 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii'.

It will be interesting to see its comeback, and I feel great to be a part of the show that made history among the Indian television industry.

2. What are the changes which you see in the television industry in recent times?

Everything was so different a decade ago, the acting, the shoot pattern, the technology, and it used to be at a slightly slower pace than it is now. The storyline was so simple and the show was exactly what the title said it is about."

3. Any plans to watch the show with your friends and family? Also, are you still in touch with your cast members?

There are no plans as of yet. Most of us are still in touch, we meet each other on occasion. I am still very good friends with Sakshi Tanwar and Ali Asgar. Being glamorous wasn't so popular before.

Everything seemed so simple before, and now it's a very overwhelming experience for all. So, I think it made us connect on a personal level and create such an unbreakable bond of friendship.

I've been friends with Ali Asgar since 1996, almost 3 decades now. We didn't realise that we would get so much of recognition after 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii'.

4. How did the show change your life back then?

After 2 to 3 months of the show being on-air, we started getting recognized almost everywhere we went. Entertainment industry has changed a lot nowadays due to regional channels becoming prominent and gaining popularity among their own regions.

Back then, most of the viewers tuned in to watch our show and the TRP numbers soared till 15. Nowadays, people celebrate the shows run of making it to 2 years with TRP rating reaching 3 at the most.

I understand that it's because of great and tough competition, but we enjoyed our time back then with the likes of Ramayana, Mahabharata or Kasauti Zindagi Ki.

5. What changed after your portrayal of 'Om Agarwal' on Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii'?

Once I was at Bhopal Airport being received by fans along with a film-star. I thought to myself that this person is a Star for me and the fans are also taking my autograph, saying that I was also a Star to them. That was when I realized how big the show had become but did not know it would still be loved by everyone.

6. Recall value has decreased today, for both artists and shows. Your thoughts on this.

There are multiple shows and multiple options available today. All the promotions have become so high level and glamorous. In the 1990s, it wasn't overwhelming as it is now. It is a part of life or a lifestyle, in today's date, to watch films, Web-series and television.

7. How do you feel about the content on television right now?

The content has become overwhelming for the audience, and there are so many platforms to choose from. I've seen shows getting shut down after 3 months of its run, so 2 years is a big deal nowadays.

Back then we used to shoot on a single floor of the Balaji Production's building. We had no big set per se as it is now.

8. How did Balaji approach you for the role of ‘Om Agarwal’?

I had prior experience of working with Balaji. So, when they approached me, they told me to think of the show as Ramayana with me in the role of Ram. This made me accept their offer and now the show has made a big place in the audience’s heart.

9. Did you experience struggle like any other actor after the show?

Struggle is something that doesn’t just disappear from an artist’s life. I gained a lot of popularity because of ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’ which was somewhat compared to actors who work in a film. The show changed my life for the better, and I have to say that it will always be a memorable milestone of my entire life.

10. How do you think the audience will feel about the show’s recreation with a whole new cast?

I feel that people relate the actor to their character on a personal level and if someone else were to play that exact same role, even with variations or a different storyline, it is bound to make them question or compare the actors.

This will affect the show and its success after a while. It is always a gamble when you re-create a show that is loved by so many people. So, I feel that the legacy should be kept alive.

11. Any memorable anecdotes with fans which stayed with you?

I remember being approached by a man on a flight who earnestly asked me to change the timing of my show because his wife was so engrossed in the shows storylines that she almost always forgot to feed him.

This stayed with me because it made me realize how much it affected the daily lives of people who adored the show. I’m sure people will gather around the television screens again to remember those days again.

Tune in to get your daily fix of 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii' as it returns on the 2nd August, every Monday to Sunday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, only on Star Plus!