Imran Khan/New Delhi

Tillu, popular character of a jobless person who tries hard to stay afloat, played by Salim Zaidi in the comic TV serial Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain was growing up dreaming of becoming a cricket star like his favourite Sachin Tendulkar.

Fate, however, had a different script writted for him.

In a conversation with Awaz-The Voice, Salim Zaidi said that he had never thought of becoming an actor. "My heart was in cricket," he said. He played cricket at the zonal level.

Later his elder brother called him to Delhi where he enrolled himself in a Mass Communication course. 

Salim Zaidi is from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, where he went to school. After graduating in Mass Communication from Delhi, he worked as a Radio Jockey at All India Radio. At the same time he was inclining towards acting.

He joined a theatre. His first play was Dara Shikoh in which he played the role of Jahangir.

Salim Zaidi (fourth from left) with the team of Bhabhiji Ghar par hein

His maiden theater experience was appreciated by audiences and fellow actors. After this, he was ever more confident of becoming an actor. After five=years of theater, he moved to Mumbai in 2013 to try his luck in the entertainment industry.

Salim Zaidi started getting work almost as soon as he landed in Mumbai. However, initially, he didn't have meaty roles. Getting continuous roles helped him stay put in Mumbai.

His next major break in the cine world came with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the biopic on a famous Indian Athlete played by Farhan Akhtar. He played the role of a Pakistani reporter in the 2013 blockbuster.

However, it was a year later that his role in Trip to Bhangarh made producers and directors take note of his talent.

In this film, he gave a single shot of two and a half minutes without any retake. Such moves are considered a trait of highly talented people and his reputation traveled across the industry.

There was no looking back for Tillu thereafter.

He also worked in Sab TV's popular serial FIR. However, when he joined this serial, it was in its last phase, so he was seen in a few episodes.

However, FIR director Shashank Bali signed him for Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain role of Tillu.

On BGPH, Salim Zaidi says, "Perhaps this character was made for me. Today people recognize me as 'Tillu," he says.

Salim Zaidi has been associated with 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai' for 10 years, since its inception.

Soon, he will be seen on the big screen again. He is playing the role of a dishonest leader Shukla in the upcoming film UP Files.

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Salim Zaidi says, "A theatre actor owns every character he plays and tries to live up to him. However, I consider myself more comfortable as a comedian."