Coming Home

I didn’t really take a break from acting. Its just that viewers haven’t seen me on camera for a while. Last,I acted in Kaalchakra in 2006. During that period,I did five films,one of which was Three – Love,Lies and Betrayal,worked in two Pakistani dramas and one play.

What happened to the other four films you did?

Honestly,I don’t know. The shooting for them is over but I’ve lost hope that they will ever see the light of day. The producers still tell me that they intend to release them,so let’s see.

You must have had other offers for television in the meantime. Why did you choose Beend?

I could not have returned to something lower than where I left. In Beend,I have a very powerful role. I’m not just playing a mother,but there’s a triangle between the two protagonists and me.

Tell us more about your role?

I play Santosh,a traditional Marwari housewife,who has certain principles in her life. For instance,she insists that the family must eat together at 8 pm. She feels that the girls place is in the home,for if both the male and female members of the family go to work,then the family will break. Maybe the younger generation won’t understand,but people from the older age group will.

Do you think the industry has changed at all since you first appeared on Kkusum?

Of course,it has. Which is why,I didn’t appear on television for so long. The shows are rooted in rural India. With my face and my body type,I don’t fit in those roles. So I waited for a show like Beend. The family in the show may be conservative but it has grown in stature over the years and has become very prominent in the community.

There were rumours of a fall- out between you and Ekta Kapoor. Any truth to them?

Not at all. These rumours are always floating around. In fact,she invited me to her holi party last week. Even if we aren’t the best of friends,I will always hold her in the highest regard.

Of the roles that you have portrayed in the past,which one do you relate to the most?

Kkusum. The role was very easy for me. I didn’t feel like I was acting at all,just playing myself.

You had dreams of launching your own production house. What’s the progress on that front?

In fact,I’ve already started one with a partner called Mesmerise Productions. We’ve begun with one show on Doordarshan,and several short films.