Ray Parihar Is Happy To Be A Part Of Jamai No. 1: Time To Normalize Male-Oriented Narratives

Ray Parihar, who is seen as Pratham in Parth Shah and Prateek Sharma's Jamai No. 1, which is produced under their banner, Studio LSD, is happy to be associated with the show and feels that it's time that male-oriented shows too took center stage.

Talking about his show, he said, "It's a great and twisted show for Indian television. Usually, we see female-oriented TV shows, and male-oriented ones are rare, except in mythology. It's time to normalize male-oriented narratives and bring more such shows to the forefront."

It was the concept of the show that made him say yes to it, and he said, "When I heard about Pratham's character, I got really excited because I had not done a role like this before. It has so much variation."

"Pratham is unique-he's humble and down-to-earth but selfish at times. He loves his family and is attached to his sister, but he doesn't handle rejection well. He treats outsiders, especially the poor, with disdain. His line, 'Garib log kide ki tarah hote hai, unka kaam hai marna, not a big deal,' says a lot about his personality. It's a challenging role, and I believe I will grow as a performer and an individual through this character," he added.

He, however, admitted that he doesn't relate much to his character. He further said, "While I'm deeply attached to my parents, Pratham is over-pampered by his mother and sister, which has spoiled him. He doesn't value people and thinks only about himself. On the other hand, I'm the opposite in real life-I love helping others and always try to put myself in their shoes when someone asks for help."

Ray also mentioned that this show is different from other shows on TV today. He said, "Most TV shows are women-centric. While our show also revolves around a female lead, the male lead has equal importance and drives the story forward. It's rare to see that balance on television."

He also believes that the audience will easily connect with the show because it flips the idea of a ghar jamai. He further said, "Traditionally, jamais are treated like kings in their in-laws' homes-they're called Jamai Raja. But in our show, the ghar jamai is completely unwanted."

"No one in the house wants to see him, let alone entertain his presence. However, the lead character finds ways to change people's perceptions and their mentality. It's a fresh and catchy concept that I think people will love," he added.

Ray also confessed that it has been an amazing experience shooting with the stellar cast and crew. He said, "The cast and crew are incredibly humble and kind. During the look test, I got comfortable with my co-actors right away. Pappcy ma'am, who plays my mother, treats me like her own son and often reminds me of my mother. The same goes for Nani ji, Kamlesh ji (Massi ji), Manjeri, Jinal, and everyone else. We've built a strong bond, and it feels like I'm working with family rather than outsiders."

The name of the show is quite interesting. What do you think makes a jamai no. 1? "A Jamai No. 1 is someone who wins everyone over with his charm and character. This show isn't just about the jamai himself but also about redefining his role in the family. Our male lead stands out because he's naturally inbuilt into the storyline and plays a pivotal role alongside the female characters," he ended.