Laal Singh Maan who has stepped into the shoes of Gurucharan Singh in SAB TV’s Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (Neela Telefilms) hadn’t watched the serial before. It was a challenge for him to do a replacement role. Nevertheless, things were made easier for him as the creative team guided him very well. Also he in real life is quite close to the character he plays. He explains, “There are two types of sardars- the roly poly sardar and the army type sardar. Me and Gurucharan fall into the latter category. Though I have never met him, I know that.” As he had to start acting in very short notice, he could only manage to watch about four episodes of the show. “It is fun to play a jovial sardar who gets angry at times.” Like Sodhi, Laal isn’t too educated. A very sweet and candid gentleman, he had no qualms in owning up that he has studied till Class VI. “I did not appear for the final exam in Class VII. My family was into agriculture. I had a lot of work to do at home. Besides, I wasn’t too fond of education.” He adds that his wife Sukhjit Kaur is far more educated than him and is a graduate. She is currently expecting and is residing in her native village Lodhwan near Amritsar. Laal is excitedly looking forward to the birth of his first child. “All I want is a healthy baby who will grow into a nice person. I am not concerned about the gender of the baby.” The actor is full of praise for his co-stars Dilkhush Reporter who plays his Parsi wife and Samay Shah who plays his son. “Dilkhush is a nice, intelligent and cooperative actress. Samay is a cute boy and is like my own son.” We wish Laal all the best in his professional and personal life.