new interview=TORAL

Despite the never-ending backlash she is facing for replacing Pratyusha Banerjee as the new Anandi of Colors' 'Balika Vadhu', Toral Rasputra is adamant about some things. And dreamy about others.

No matter which direction Indian soap opera's doyen ' Ekta Kapoor ' is pushing prime-time soaps, and it is mostly in the bedroom with an increasing amount of on-screen intimacy, Toral Rasputra will not do a lip-lock. On screen, that is.

Toral tells Emirates24|7 that a few camera tricks can do the wonders without actors actually getting intimate on screen.

"Intimacy is all about the chemistry between the actors. It depends on the scene, if it is shot beautifully I don't think there is a need to enact it."

"The feeling of compassion can be expressed even through your eyes," she says.

Ekta Kapoor's daily soap 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain' (BALH) raise the bar (or lowered the limits) for an elaborate bedroom scene enacted by the lead pair Ram Kapoor and Priya played by Sakshi Tanwar.

Given that these are prime-time soaps that have predominantly female, family audience, the scene is looked upon as a watershed in terms of where Indian TV is going.

Toral is apprehensive, however.

"Although after 'BALH' television is getting bolder, intimate scenes are not only about the kind of shots shown by BALH. I don't think I will ever do something like that."

"I have my certain limitation to intimate scenes. If something of that sort is required I will not cross my limit."

A kiss is that limit for Toral. As in that is where she draws the line.

Which brings us to her dreams role: Smita Patil in the 1982 release 'Arth'.

Well, Toral should know that Smita Patil did some pretty bold scenes in her movie career, and at a time when Indian films in general were even more reserved than anything on TV.

But, it is all about the role, we think.

Like 'Anandi', Pratyusha or Toral? The war goes on.