Old friendships to young parenting. Raat Jawaan Hai, streaming on SonyLIV, has come as a breath of fresh air for viewers who want a break from the grim and gory content that has taken over the streaming space in the last few years. The eight-episode series stars Barun Sobti, Priya Bapat and Anjali Anand as childhood friends who now have to grapple with the challenge of raising kids.

With Raat Jawaan Hai opening to positive reviews, t2 chatted with Barun Sobti, who, post Asur and Kohrra, is experiencing a purple patch.

What do you think makes Raat Jawaan Hai a relatable story, especially for new parents?

I think it is a relatable story for everyone. More than parenthood, I feel that the emotions and equation between the three friends will strike a chord. It is about how true friendship, no matter what happens, can stand the test of time.

You have come off very intense shows like Asur and Kohrra. Was that a reason to want to do Raat Jawaan Hai?

It was one of the primary reasons. Not only me, I think the whole OTT space has got into a very intense space. There is not much stuff that is lighthearted and, at the same time, relevant. When this script came to me, I realised that I had missed watching this kind of content on OTT, as I am sure a large part of the audience has. The script was a joy to read and it has converted into a very good watch.

Being the father of two very young kids, did you identify a lot with your character Avi?

Yes I did. He might be a father but he is also quite notorious. I am also like that pretty often, but the kind of work I have done, especially recently, makes me come across as very serious. When I read the script, I was like: ‘God, this is me!’ People who know me well will know what I am talking about.

Avi tries and keeps the kid within him alive even as he navigates being a father. He has his fundamentals in place. He doesn’t do anything to hurt anyone. But he wants to have his share of fun. That is what I liked the most.

Being a father in real life did help me in a few scenes. I am the kind of actor who doesn’t like to give a false note. If I was not a young parent, a recent parent, I probably would have faltered. Things like handling the baby, feeding and putting the baby to bed... those things came easily to me. But that doesn’t really take the character home. What does so is the comprehension of the intellect of the character.

Why do you think we have a shortage of such content on streaming?

The industry is dominated by men who are more comfortable writing stuff that demands intellect rather than what appeals to the heart. They are like: ‘I will write a thriller, otherwise how will people know I am smart?!’ (Laughs) Raat Jawaan Hai is written by a woman (Khyati Anand-Puthran) and this show is all heart.

Your children are aged five and one. Are you a hands-on dad?

I am slightly chilled out because my wife is a very hands-on mother. I can do pretty much everything that my wife does for them. I am very happy to spend time alone with my kids.

Mothers are often saddled with mom’s guilt when they have to leave their children at home. Do fathers, especially someone like you who is so busy, feel that too?

Honestly, I don’t think it is guilt for anyone. Everyone misses their child, it is not limited to or defined by gender. Guilt is what society makes parents feel, especially mothers because they have been bracketed into the role of nurturers. I actually realised this when I was asked if I felt guilty leaving my children. I started thinking I do but then I realised that it is only about missing them.

There has been a career resurgence for you with Asur and Kohrra. How are you looking at the present and the future as an actor?

Right now, I am getting to do the kind of work I always wanted to do. This might be the best phase of my career. In the past, I have let go of projects because I didn’t want to do that kind of work and I am glad I waited it out.

I know you read quite a bit. What’s new on the bookshelf?

I am reading a book called A History of Heavy Metal (by Andrew O’Neill). It is a humorous account of the fans of metal or what they call ‘metalheads’. I am in that fun, lighthearted zone now.