Not Kidding

So,you’re okay with children playing a major part on television these days?
Why not? Television is a great opportunity for kids to showcase their talent,as long as they are not being exploited. For children who are not good at sport or studies they could actually show off their talent here. Your child may not be Albert Einstein but he could sure be Charlie Chaplin.

How’s life been for you after your kids?
I have taken this long break to be with my kids and this period has been magical. I believe in giving your hundred per cent in whatever I do and hence I chose to be with them full-time. After all,it is very important to nurture your kids at a young age.

What’s you preferred choice of profession at the moment: being a judge or an actor?
Judging is the best thing on this planet. And I have a blast when I am judging these kids shows. You get to wear the best of clothes,you have short schedules and above all you are paid for it. What more can you ask for?

Most of your contemporaries like Karisma Kapur,Sonali Bendre and Juhi Chawla are judging television shows these days. Is it a preferred way of life for many actors after films?
More than an easy way it has become a fad now. It is a preferred medium not just for actors like me who are taking it easy,but also for actors who are currently reigning. Look at people like Akshay Kumar,Shah Rukh Khan,Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan,they are even hosting shows on television. There is a lot of exposure in television. The medium has penetrated into remote villages as well. In fact,a newcomer on television is more popular than a slightly established movie star.

Few years back,many believed that heroines have a very short shelf-life. But you and your contemporaries still continue to act. Is the industry more accepting now?
It is not just the industry; it is the audience as well. They don’t mind watching new age cinema or parallel cinema today.

From playing bubbly characters you went on to do certain character oriented films. Was it a conscious shift?
I wanted to evolve mentally and hence did roles that suited me and my personality. I don’t want my kids looking at me and saying,“What are you doing mom?”

When are we seeing you in a film next?
Chashni will soon release. And I am not planning to do too many films at this point. I am reading a couple of scripts and I have really liked them.