When it comes to playing paternal roles, veteran actor Alok Nath has proved to be the big daddy of all. For two decades, the actor has entertained, made people cry both on the big screen and now on the idiot box.

Alok continues with his paternal acts as part of the new show Bidaai. The actor isn't too bothered about comparisons between the new daily soap Bidaai and last year's release Vivah. This quintessential father of television industry spoke to Anil Merani about his journey.

Excerpts:

What's your role in Bidaai?
I portray the character of Prakash Chand, who lives with his family in Agra. He loves both his daughter Ragani (Parul Chauhan) and his niece Sadhana (Sara Khan).

This show seems to be a copy of your film Vivah?
The story of Vivah is completely different from Bidaai. Also, Vivah was a two hour movie and Bidaai is a daily soap.

The show deals with sensitive issue of color discrimination of two girls. What's your take on it?
It's very sad to see such things happening in our society. Personally, I feel Black is very beautiful. Our country is endowed with people of different types of skin color. We should learn to respect this diversity.

Were you skeptical of working with new actress Sara?
Initially, I was a bit skeptical but later, I was shocked to see her doing so well. She is extremely good at her job.

Why do you only play fatherly roles?
I'm unable to relate with any other character and people want to see me playing such roles.

So, you don't want to change your image?
As an actor, I'm satisfied and enjoy portraying such characters. Besides that, it's too late to think of playing something else.

You did a negative act in Bol Radha Bol?
After doing negative act in Bol…I realized that people can't see me playing a role of a baddie.

What variations do you bring in while playing the character of an old man?
While playing similar roles it's not possible to bring in any variations.

You have done both films and television, which is better?
I enjoy doing both as they are two different mediums of entertainment. Of late, small screen has become one big medium to reach so many people.

You are working in this industry from past twenty years. Can you summarize the experience?
This industry has given me everything and I wouldn't have asked for anything more.