What made you join the Congress?
A lot of people called me to campaign for others in the upcoming elections. But I felt that I wanted something for myself. Then I got an offer from the Congress. I agreed because of a family connection, too. My late father, social worker Satyajit Shinde, was on good terms with the Congress, being a friend of Sushil Kumar Shinde, Sharad Pawarji and others.
Issues closest to your heart?
I do not know exactly. So, for instance, I want to know why the government has never tried to revamp the MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited), which is a state-owned telecommunications service provider, rather than encourage private networks such as Reliance Jio and others. Then take the case of the Mumbai metro—it is too slow and it has completely jammed up the roads. Then, with demonetisation, the common man had to suffer so much.
Any particular causes you will espouse as a politician?
As of now, I do not know what I will be doing or which area I will contest from. But I will take care to address any developmental issues my constituency faces. I have not got time to think these things over. It feels like just yesterday when the party made the offer, and the very next day you approached me. This is my first interview after the offer. So, I want time to think things through. I only know that I will contest the Lok Sabha elections.
You are best known for your role in the soap opera Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain. Will you continue to act?
I will be seen in a couple of Marathi films. My upcoming film is Radha Kyun Gori, Main Kyun Kala directed by Prem Soni. After that, I think I will stop doing films. Now, with joining the party, my [movie] ambitions are over. It is time to start a mission.