She may have taken a backseat from television, but Kavita Kaushik's name remains synonymous with FIR, one of the most popular shows in Indian television history. Ask her if she misses playing her character on the show - Chandramukhi Chautala - and pat comes the reply: "Absolutely.she was unapologetically real, just like me." The actor spoke to indianexpress.com on the sidelines of the Crime Literature Festival in Dehradun, talking more about her journey and why she no longer enjoys television. During the interaction, she also opened up about her fitness routine, becoming a yogini, and becoming an entrepreneur. Read the edited excerpts below. Q: Did you recently announce your decision to quit TV? Kavita Kaushik: No, I haven’t said anything like that. I said that I don’t enjoy the regressive content on television. I’ve reached a stage where I feel responsible for the kind of work I do. Shows like Naagin, Chudail, or saas-bahu dramas don’t appeal to me. Television hasn’t evolved much in the past 10-15 years, and I don’t find the current offerings exciting. I was fortunate to do FIR for 10 years. It gave me creative satisfaction. Unless it’s something challenging or a guest appearance, I wouldn’t commit to the long, exhausting hours that TV demands. Q: You’re best remembered for playing Chandramukhi Chautala. Do you miss being her? If yes, what was the best thing about it? Kavita Kaushik: Absolutely! Chandramukhi Chautala is like my alter ego. What I miss most is her limitless energy and her freedom to do anything. At times, I felt my real personality was overshadowed by hers. The love and admiration I’ve received make it all worth it. Even today, young kids are introduced to FIR by their parents, which speaks volumes about the character’s impact. Q: What made Chandramukhi Chautala strike a chord with the audience? Kavita Kaushik: Her authenticity. She was unapologetically real, just like me. I speak my mind, which sometimes works in my favour and sometimes doesn’t. Chandramukhi’s rawness and her commanding personality resonated deeply with the audience. Q: Did you ever feel that Chandramukhi’s portrayal belittled cops? Kavita Kaushik: Not at all. We never showed cops in a negative light. In fact, I’ve always respected the uniform. For 10 years, I refused offers worth lakhs to perform or attend events in a police uniform because I didn’t want to disrespect it. Q: You’re a certified yogini. Tell us about your fitness routine. Kavita Kaushik: My fitness routine is simple. I avoid eating out and focus on home-cooked meals. When I feel I’ve gained weight, I get back to working out. Q: One myth about yoga you’d like to debunk? Kavita Kaushik: If you see someone doing yoga with heavy makeup, don’t take it seriously. Yoga isn’t about glamour but mindfulness, connecting with your inner self, and achieving oneness with divine energy. It’s more than physical postures; it’s about creating positive energy through asanas and dhyana. Q: What’s the best and worst part of being an actor? Kavita Kaushik: The best part is people's immense love and appreciation. The worst part is that people often forget you’re human and expect you to be perfect always. They tend to ignore that you, too, have flaws and bad days. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kavita Kaushik (@ikavitakaushik) Q: What’s in the pipeline for your homemade beauty brand? Kavita Kaushik: I’m very proud of my brand. My husband and I are working on several new products that will soon be available nationwide and internationally. You can explore them on our website. Q: Does being an actor and being constantly in the limelight affect mental health? Kavita Kaushik: Yes, being in the spotlight comes with challenges, and it can affect mental health. It’s important to stop ridiculing people who are struggling. Mental health is serious; anyone acting unusually might be dealing with real issues. Let’s practice compassion.
