Politicking…

Isn’t television considered a bit of a come-down for someone who works in films?
I don’t think so. TV is huge today. Its reach is massive, and everyone is on television, be it Naseeruddin Shah, Rajesh Khanna or Amitabh Bachchan. I had considerable faith in (producer) Bobby Bedi that he’d maintain standards and make a good show because I’d already worked with him on Bombay Blues, a six-part TV series for Channel Four, London. Also, I liked the idea of shooting in Delhi with the background of politics. I thought it might be interesting. This thing about TV being a step down is only in people’s minds. TV is the strongest medium in the world today. I took it up because I liked the role, I liked the production and the fact that it was for TV, was fine with me.

Doesn’t it get difficult trying to balance your television assignments with your film commitments?
Not really. In fact, it helps keep you mentally fine. It’s a relief. You know, how doing a bit of theatre relieves you at a time when you have been working in film for long hours… Similarly, doing films after doing TV is welcome. And TV too, is an experience of its own, particularly because it brings you so close to people. I studied in Sherwood in Nainital, where cultural activities were encouraged in a big way. I was always into singing. I’d be very disappointed if for any reason I couldn’t sing. So, doing musical plays allows me to sing and act, while films have their own high. TV, on the other hand, has a massive reach which has to be enjoyed in order to be believed. If I had limited myself to films only, I guess I’d always have fealt cheated. Today, with so many mediums opening up, everything is available, and I’m delighted to dabble in all of them.

— Lata Khubchandani