Vinod Nagpal Sushma Seth
Basesar Ram, the father Dadi, the grandmother
Doordarshan and Shobha Doctor, one of the producers of Hum Log, wanted someone who didn’t look like a star. “The idea was to cast actors whom the masses could relate to,” said Vinod Nagpal (75), who played the alcoholic father of five children. He believes the serial was a massive hit because of its strong and timeless content. “However, every time there is a repeat telecast, people still get hooked on to it,” he said. Nagpal currently produces light and sound shows. His last two films were Luv Shuv Te Chicken Khurana and Aaja Nachle. For Sushma Seth, taking on the role of the feisty Dadi meant not just rehearsing the dialogues in a Haryanvi accent, but also designing and sourcing the costumes and the wig. Seth says she loved the role of the matriarch who was manipulative, but also “humourous, childlike and very believable.” “Everyone had a character like that in their family,” says the Delhibased actor who played memorable characters in films such as Prem Rog, Kalyug and Silsila, aside from being actively involved in theatre, particularly children’s theatre.