RAKESH BEDI: THODI SI BAARISH MEIN DILLI KI HAALAT KHARAAB HO GAYI

Actor Rakesh Bedi, who recently visited the Capital, can’t believe that just a little bit of rain could play spoilsport here! Comparing the intensity of rains in Delhi with those in Mumbai, he says, “Raat ko thodi baarish shuru hui... subah TV par dekha Dilliwale behal hain, pareshan hain. Dilli ki baarish se Mumbai walon ki dar bhi nahin geeli hoti. Mumbai ki baarish toh do hafte tak band nahin hoti kai baar. Aur yahan thodi si baarish mein Dilli ki haalat kharab ho gayi!”

Disappointed that he couldn’t go around much to check out his favourite spots in the city, the 66-year-old says, “Mumbai mein baithe baithe bore ho gaye... Hum toh tayyar hain stage par perform karne ke liye par abhi auditoriums puri tarah khule hi nahin hain. Prithvi Theatre (in Mumbai) has reopened and I’ll perform there this month. Kamani Auditorium (in Delhi) aisa gadh hai jahan audience theatre ke liye bhookhi hoti hai. I want to be on the stage. In my 42 years of career, ek mahina bhi aisa nahin gaya jab maine manch pe paon nahin rakha. Aur ab ye dedh-do saal pandemic ke aise gaye hain... Main Delhi apni wife (Aradhana Bedi) ke sath aaya tha for a change and to rehearse for Ayodhya Ki Ramlila.”

The actor will don the role of Raja Janak as well as Kevat in the upcoming Ramlila. “New generation ko Ramayana ki kahani pata hi nahin hai! Koi nahin karega toh pata kaise chalega? Last year, too, I was a part of Ramlila, and whenever we do it, there’s a new generation ready to see it,” he shares excitedly, adding, “But since I’m here, I must admit that it’s also for the love of Delhi’s food. Traffic bahut zyada hai, but being a Delhiite, it’s always nice to come here... Aur meri wife toh Bengali Market ki chatori hai (laughs)!”