The American connection

Mausam: The serial's USP is that it is set in America DD2. And the use of firangs has been done naturally -- they have substantial roles t...

Mausam: The serial8217;s USP is that it is set in America DD2. And the use of firangs has been done naturally 8212; they have substantial roles that are intricately interwoven into plot. Deepak Karambelkar chatted with Paula Labaderas who plays Amy and Lori Thomas who plays Marcy Amy8217;s mother about working on a predominantly Indian project. Paula is in her early 20s and has won the Shining Star Award, 1996 from The Soap Set Acting Studio. She has worked on mainstream film projects such as Rage, Pizza Perfect and Chat With The Devil. Her most recent television credits are for a show called Sex And The City on HBO. She is also a cast member of the show USA Live and a TV series called Dellaventura on CBS. Lori Thomas is in her early 30s and has TV credits like Evening Shade on CBS and Dallas.

How did you feel about working with an Indian director on an Indian plot?

PL: Ravi Kemmu spends time with the actors to make sure that he gets the best. He knows what he wants. Dialogue in an Indianserial is more romanticised. American dialogues are often matter-of-fact and feelings are expressed more by action 8212; show instead of tell. But the writing here is refreshing as it allows the actor to talk about feelings, emotions and life in poetic way.

LT: Ravi is very fast. He doesn8217;t need many takes or waste the actors8217; time. That keeps us fresh and alive for the performance. The subject is very interesting. It8217;s a whole new experience.

Why did you take up this project?

PL:People in the industry here, often don8217;t take the time to develop a rapport with the actors during an audition. But for Mausam, I was very comfortable and so the audition was excellent. The producers treated me very well. I wasn8217;t just quot;a propquot;. Also working with an Indian cast would be more challenging as an actress. The opportunity to learn about Indian culture and being on a nationally-televised show was very appealing to me.

LT: I love soap operas. I love the fast-paced environment of television. It is a verylegitimate show with a good future ahead.

Will this show help better relations between India and the USA?

PL: Obviously. The show depicts the lives of Indians in America. I also hope that people in India will get an insight into the lives of Americans. Eventually, where ever we are, we8217;re all human8230;

LT: I hope people everywhere will see the universal themes we explore in the show.

Story continues below this ad

What do you expect to gain out of working on this show?

PL: I think I have gained knowledge. The Indo-American way of life, the culture, close-knit families, the love and respect for India as a motherland is something I respect very much.

LT: Laughs I learnt to learn lines very quickly! Lines that were originally written in Hindi and translated into English.

Have you tried Indian food? Which is your favourite Indian dish?

PL:It8217;s very spicy. Exotic. Very filling. I am a vegetarian so I usually have Indian food twice or thrice a month. My favourite dish is mixedvegetables in mild sauce gravy.

LT: Yes, I have tried a dosa. Yummy!

Have you been or do you plan to visit India?

PL: No. I have not been there yet. But I would love to visit. Laughs Maybe for Mausam. Or, I will go personally.

Story continues below this ad

LT: No, but maybe my character will be developed with a trip to India in mind.

What is your perception of India?

PL: I see it as a very colourful country. Lots of deserts. Women wearing jewellery. Printed dresses. I picture it as being very sunny. Of course the people are very friendly and inspirational.

LT: Colours, costumes, culture..