The charming Shernaz Patel is back on television. She was last seen in Buniyaad 23 years ago. Shernaz was also seen in soaps like Khandaan and Naqaab on national television. But it was her role in the film Black as Ayesha Kapoor’s ravaged mother that catapulted her into the big league. The talented actress is now back with Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain on NDTV Imagine. The show launches on 23 March and will be aired at 6.30pm.

We caught up the veteran actress to know about her return and what she was up to all these years.

Where have you been for all these years?
I had a lot of work to do after Black. I did a couple of films like Family and Humko Dewaana Kar Gaye. Beside that I also teach acting so I was busy with that. I had been doing voice- overs for a lot of people. Alongside I was doing theatre and was also part of a festival called Writer’s bloc which basically deals with the nuclear rights for plays in Bombay. So I was never out of work.

What tempted you to come back to television?
Nothing in particular. As an actor I feel any medium of acting is important. I’m happy doing Angrezi Mein Kehte Hai on the small screen. My last show on television was Mathamagic.

How has the medium changed in all these years?
Things have changed a lot since then. In fact I feel television has gone backward. Acting wise it was really good in our times. The content was far more superior than today. We did 52 episodes and the story ended but now it goes on for years and years. The best story is one which has a good start and a nice end which we don’t see today. I don’t see myself doing saas-bahu sagas today.

Indian television in the 80’s was better than anywhere else in the world. But yes television now has better quality and there are different genres now to entertain audiences.

Why did you choose Angrezi Mein… as your comeback show?
I liked the concept of the show very much. English is a very useful language to know and to speak. This show is entertaining as well as educating as it also contains serious learning. Synergy(the production house) has taken lot of effort to build such a different show.

How similar is it to Zabaan Sambhal Ke or Mind Your Language?
I don’t think so. Yes, it does contain the comedy factor but it’s more educating. In Zabaan Sambhal Ke, it was more of fiction than reality. Here my students are from different genres like a housewife, a salesman, a student, etc. I have a proper class room and the students in my class are the people existing in India.

How comfortable are with Hindi?
I am not so comfortable with Hindi but am learning it. To progress in this industry it is very much necessary to know Hindi. In Bollywood it is very easy but in TV serials it is tough to go ahead without the knowledge of this language. I’m sure that my Hindi is much better than any other Parsi’s.

You are the only known face in the show. Isn’t this a huge burden?
I don’t think so. This show is not about me or some personality but very general and all about learning the language. I feel the show is much bigger than me. It consists of proper teaching though it has a touch of comedy. There will be a set of people playing gags in the middle and by the end of each and every episode we will present a song which combines the whole episode.

Does this show have a definite format? What do you think about the early time slot?
Yes, this show has a definite time slot. I don’t know how long it will go on but I have signed my contract for a definite period. About the time slot I think it’s better to ask the channel and the production house. As I haven’t been on television for a long time so I don’t know what kind of audience will like what kind of time slot.