Television actor Varun Badola, who is returning to the small screen after two years, this time as a Thakur, says he was shocked to know that the customs like daughters being forced to serve rich Thakurs still exists in the country. That's what prompted him to accept the role.

The 36-year old will be seen playing a rich and powerful man, Thakur Vikram Singh in "Phir Subah Hogi" that goes on air April 17 Zee TV.

The show is about Bedia tribe of Bundelkhand region in Madhya Pradesh and will bring to light a social custom which is said to be still prevailing there. The daughters born in the Bedia family are forced to serve rich Thakurs who have a penchant for young, teenage girls.

"I was shocked when I got to know that in a country like India which has come a long way, such things still exist. But I quite liked my character that is why I agreed for the show, " Varun told.

He was last seen in "Gili Gili Gappa" on Sab TV two years back.

Explaining why he stayed away from small screen, he said: "I did not feel like doing television. Moreover, I don't and can't relate myself to the saas baha saga. That is this reason I kept myself away."

After working as an assistant director to Tigmanshu Dhulia, Varun made his acting debut in 1994 in "Banegi Apni Baat" but became popular after Ekta Kapoor's "Koshish Ek Aashaa" and later did shows like "Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand", "Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani" and "Aek Chabhi Hai Padoss Mein".

Son of veteran theatre actor Vishwa Mohan, Varun says his father is his inspiration.

"I always used to make my father remember his lines and accompanied him to his plays. I was also an active theatre actor in Delhi. I left theatre after moving to Mumbai because I don't relate to the commercial theatres here, " he said.

A huge cricket fan, the actor said he was busy playing cricket for Celebrity Cricket League during the break he took from television.

"I was happy playing cricket. I am a huge cricket fan. I wanted to become a cricketer but could not take that dream forward and turn it into reality, " said the actor who played under 15 cricket at school level with cricketers like Ajay Jadeja and Murali Kartik.

Married to TV actor Rajeswari Sachdev, the couple was last seen together in dance reality series, "Nach Baliye". They have a one -year-old son Devagya.