Ragini never uses uncle Govinda's name
You are making your movie debut this year.
Yes, I've taken on a film project, which should start rolling soon. It's too to reveal details about my character and co-actors, but a formal announcement is on the way. I'm the leading lady of the film.
What's your uncle Govinda's reaction?
He's happy with my decision to move up the ladder. It's a natural progression for an actor these days.
Your uncle and cousin Krushna Abhishek are popular for their brand of comedy. You tried it too, right?
My show Bhaskar Bharti on Sony was funny. Even my next one, Sasural Genda Phool for Star Plus, is funny. But I'm glad it's not funny in the Krushna bhaiyya or my uncle's style.
Govindaji is an institution by himself. I'm different from them and choose to keep my identity that way. I don't want to be overshadowed by them. Nor do I want to be known as someone's niece or sister. I've been in showbiz for quite a few years. I never asked my uncle to call up the industry people and get me work. I've never introduced myself as his niece.
Krushna is into stand-up comedy. I appreciate that but have never thought of trying it myself. I do my own kind of work and I'm happy with my individual identity.
Would you quit TV for movies now?
(Laughs) No. If Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and other big stars can do films and TV shows simultaneously, why can't I? I'm not as popular as them. I can dabble in both. I'll sail through.
Okay. What's the deal about playing a spoilt bahu in Sasural Genda Phool?
(Giggles) I am playing a motherless girl, Suhana, who is spoilt. Her father, who can do anything to see a smile on her face, brings her up. It's a fun character.
Initially, she has money to throw around but eventually marries a middle class guy. Suhana is temperamental. She smiles and gets angry in seconds. She thinks she can dictate to the world.
With so many cousins, and being one of the younger children in the family, I'm sure you've always been pampered?
Sure I was, but not the way this character is. I wasn't spoilt. I valued money because I was brought up in a middle class family.
I know how much hard work goes into earning the money, which some brats just throw around for no big reason. Because of my upbringing, I can't relate easily to Suhana's mindset.
Wasn't Bhaskar-Bharti from Bhaskar Bharti also spoilt?
Bhaskar was from a lower middle glass background who achieves a lot in life, very quickly. That changes him. He starts misusing the adulation and eventually pays by getting transformed into a woman.
He realises what a woman goes through in different situations. On that show, I lived every aspect of being a woman.
Suhana is 21 but mentally she's not more than 16. She's an over-indulged child. Suhana and Bharati are two differently flamboyant characters. I'm never going to repeat myself in a character.
You're working with Supriya Pilgaonkar, your mother in your first show, Radha Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhaengi.
I still have to shoot with Supriyaji. I have grown up watching her show Tu Tu Main Main.
She's taught me a lot on our first show together. I was very raw, much more than a regular newcomer, because I hadn't come prepared. Now, I feel I've grown a bit.
Don't you think Bhaskar Bharti could have ended decently?
It was an abrupt ending. I agree it could have concluded well. But the show was fun. I had the privilege of doing more than what I would have done on five different shows put together. But whatever happens, one has to move on, right?
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