Gauri Nigudkar-Imterview[Krishna]

Creating chemistry on TV

RESHMA S KULKARNI

It's amazing what the lure of glitz and glamour can achieve. Here we have a post grad in Organic Chemistry who aspired to become a professor of the subject till the time the glamour bug led her into taking up the lead role in a tele-serial. We are talking about Gauri Nigudkar, the cutesy kid on the block who plays the lead role of Krishna in the serial Betiyaan Ya... Paraaya Dhan
on Star One. "Well, it'd be wrong to say that I got carried away!" laughs Gauri. "I am still academically inclined, but was interested in theatrics since childhood. So, when I got a chance to star in a Marathi film Uttarayan, which went on to win the National Award, I jumped at it. One thing led to the other and I started getting commercials and then Betiyaan... just fell into my lap," explains Gauri. But wasn't she apprehensive about being part of a seemingly regressive subject like Betiyaan...? "Well, it's certainly not a regressive subject," says a defensive Gauri. "The story has just about begun gaining pace now and in the coming episodes it will only further highlight the fact that girls are in no way less as compared to guys. Had I been apprehensive about the subject, I wouldn't have taken it up." Whew, got the point Gauri!
Talking about regressive subjects, is this why Gauri refused offers from Balaji? "No, not at all!" Gauri says vehemently. "Balaji did offer me good roles but I couldn't do them because of prior commitments. They were very understanding about. Furthermore, I certainly do not think that saas-bahu serials are regressive. I wouldn't mind doing a saas-bahu serial, be it from the Balaji house or anywhere. What matters to me is the role."
Betiyaan..., as the name suggests, is all about a coterie of girls — so how 'famously' do the girls get along? "As clichd as it sounds, we get along famously, no pun intended," quips Gauri. "I know that news of a catfight makes spicy reading but sorry to disappoint, there are none on our sets." Gauri might be very vocal about her opinions but quiz her about her personal life and she goes into a shell. "No personal questions please!" Well Gauri, that proves you do have all the makings of a huge star for sure!