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Siddique returns

K. Pradeep

Siddique on Hari, his role in the trend-setting soap `Sthree.'

`Sthree' was a trailblazer. It triggered off a `soap culture' in Malayalam television. The reaction to this two-year, 400-episode `mega serial' was mixed. Critics considered it trashy, but there was a huge following cutting across age barriers that were hooked. No wonder `Sthree' forced the film folk to hit the panic button, with associations going to the extent of taking a hard stand against film stars acting in soaps.

Reversal of fortunes

For Siddique, the role in `Sthree' brought about a reversal in his fortunes. "The serial happened when I was going through a very difficult phase in life. There was a lull in my acting career when Mani Shoranoor came up with this offer. I found no reason to say no. And looking back I'm glad to have taken the decision to work in it," says Siddique.

Shyam Sunder, the maker of this serial, was bent on getting the right person for each role and had a long list of artistes before zooming in on Siddique, Vinaya and the rest. The director was impressed with the actor's versatility and soon the character, Hari, became a household name and Siddique began to be identified with the character.

"This serial brought a whole new group of viewers. They were mostly middle-aged people who rarely watched Malayalam movies. I was not a familiar name to this huge group. But with `Sthree' they began to recognise me. They called me Hari thinking it was my name. That was the time when the film `Crime File' was released. When they saw me as a police officer on the film posters, there were many who said `see Hari is acting as a police officer in this new film.'"

Most of the serial was shot in and around Kochi. In fact, a large part of it was at a house in Kakkanad. "They were so good to us. But once the shoot extended beyond say 7 p.m. they became impatient. They wanted all of us out so that they could watch `Sthree' in peace," recounts Siddique.

There are countless memories associated with this serial that Siddique cherishes. But there is one that is unforgettable.

"I had lost my wife and bowing to the request of the elders in the family decided to get married again. We were returning home after the wedding, which was a very quiet affair. The scene that we saw when we reached home was that of Hari bringing Indu home after their marriage. "

Now busy with films and television programmes, he has managed to squeeze in a few days every month for the serial.

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