Mumbai, Sep 28 (IANS): Veteran film director and actor Lekh Tandon, who has played pivotal roles in films like “Swades”, “Rang De Basanti” and “Chennai Express”, will make his TV debut as an actor at the age of 86 in the upcoming episodes of popular sitcom “Sumit Sambhal Lega”.

Tandon, who is credited with discovering Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan by giving him his first project - TV serial “Dil Dariya”, has also directed films like “Professor”, “Amrapali” and “Khuda Kasam”.

Unlike the characters that he has portrayed till now, Tandon will be seen as "Happy Tau”, a fun-loving and flirtatious person.

“My role in 'Sumit Sambhal Lega' is very interesting, my character ‘Happy Tau’ being a romantic at heart. And what better an inspiration than the 'King of Romance' himself - Shah Rukh Khan,” Tandon said in a statement.

Apart from him, the Star Plus show also stars Satish Kaushik, Namit Das, Vikram Kochar, Bharati Achrekar and Manasi Parekh Goyal.

Tandon's entry will be seen on the occasion of Dolly (Bharati) and Jasbir Walia’s (Satish) 40th wedding anniversary.