'I am thrilled to be Tulsi Virani ' - Gautami Gadgil

Young and beautiful…so why play a grandma right away.....

I accepted because Tulsi Virani is the most powerful female protagonist on Indian Television today, and I would have lost out on a huge opportunity in my career had I let this go just due to age statistics. Tulsi is just not any character, she is huge, it’s difficult to even comprehend the extent of reach and stature this figure has. In any case all I have been offered lately is either a bhabhi or a saas, basically elderly characters which tend to get sidelined eventually. So I am thrilled to have got this offer. I could not have asked for more.

When were you offered the role?

I was in talks with Balaji for quite a while now but nothing had been finalised . I knew I was going to play an important role, but it would be that of Tulsi is something I came to know only a couple of days back. I guess even the channel wanted to keep it under wraps.

Are you feeling the pressure?

Yes and no. Tulsi is big so expectations are high. Stepping into Smirti’s shoes will be a challenge.

Have you started shooting yet?

Yes, yesterday was the first shoot.

Any ideas about how the character or the story is going to take shape?

It has happened so quickly that I could not sit down with the Kyunki team to discuss any further aspect of this role. Whole day today I have been busy replying to the press calls ( pause and a delighted laugh), so I guess I will be able to know more when I finally get some time to sit with the creative team.

It feels absolutely great. And when the comeback is this big, it’s icing on the cake.

How does hubby Ram Kapoor feel?

He has always been asking me to come back to television, as it is a very fulfilling medium. He is my biggest support, and he is extremely happy.

As we bid goodbye to this charming and ever smiling actress, we could hear the tangible tension and the excitement she felt at the enormous expectations she would have to stand up to. We wish her all the very best, and hope her entry brings in some fresh ideas and a new lease of life to the heavily recycled never ending story of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi !

Reporter: Minnie Gupta