'Chak De!' girl Seema Azmi now TV show narrator

Her family was against her joining showbiz, but Delhi girl Seema Azmi is determined to carve a niche. After playing hockey player Rani Dispotta from Jharkhand in the hit movie "Chak De! India", she returns as a narrator in the new TV show "Upanishad Ganga".

"I met Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, who called me for an audition for sutradhar for 'Upanishad Ganga'. And I was selected. It, in fact, happened even before I started 'Chak De!'," said Seema who came here in 2006 after completing her training at National School of Drama (NSD).

"Since 'Upanishad Ganga' is made up of various stories of our predecessors that represent Indian culture and heritage, I guide the audience by taking them through the story," added the actress who learnt about Upanishad after working in the show..

"Upanishad Ganga" is directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi and it will go air March 11 on DD. It will come every Sunday.

Talking about her journey so far, Seema says she joined showbiz against her family's wish!

"My family did not want me to get into this industry. But I was secretly doing theatre and taking NSD training. At one point in time I was planning to even run away! But after clearing NSD in the first attempt, I told my parents and what followed was a big drama at home! My dad did not talk to me for five years.

"I came to Bombay anyway, worked in Deepa Mehta's 'Water' and then was called for an audition for 'Chak De!' and eventually got selected. Working with Shah Rukh Khan was a great experience. We took early morning trainings for hockey which was very straining," said seema.

"Mohalla Assi", "Threat Detected", "Bumper Draw" and an English film "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" - are some of the projects in Seema's kitty and she is game for glamorous roles and said: "I will not shy away from it.