Originally posted by: ivybutterfly
DD interview on itimes. A very beautiful interview.
http://www.itimes.com/public/people/4tch3xeh045a06og4o1mez63v/blog/Gujarati-families-are-very-conservative-Drashti-Dhami
| Gujarati families are very conservative: Drashti Dhami |
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Young, beautiful and full of life, Drashti Dhami first faced the camera while doing some ad commercials and then appeared in a popular music video 'Sayyiyan Dil Mein Aana Re'. Keeping up her passion to dance and act, she took up TV shows and wooed audience with her on screen character of Geet Handa. With a promising performance and a down to earth attitude, she has continued her journey on small screen and now is all set to set another milestone with her latest TV show ' Madubala on Colors channel. In a candid interview with itimes.com, the starlet talks about her dreams, family, friends and more.
Who is Drashti Dhami behind the camera that viewers don't know at all?
Not boasting at all, but I am really a down to earth person and I know stardom would never get on to my head. I won't ever let that happen. Apart from a few friends from acting industry, I do have non-actor friends with whom I love to chill out. I am a very simple and calm person.
What kind of family you hail from? Were your parents supportive enough when you took up acting or did they want you to take up something else as a career option?
I come from a Gujrati family and everyone is very conservative. More that being conservative, I think they are more 'possessive'. When I got this offer to dance in a music video, you won't believe I had to seek permission from 10 different family members including my closest relatives. It was my cousin who supported me, convinced everyone and still stands by me whenever I have to take a decision on my career front. So, it's not been so easy for me but my family's support is always with me.
You have been a dance instructor and also appeared in quite a few music videos? Why didn't you pursue a career in choreography?
Dancing isn't an easy job. It's really difficult, much more than what it looks on screen. Though I used to like dancing since childhood and I learnt Bharatnatyam for 3 years and then joined Shaimak Davar's classes but never though to take it up as a profession. When I performed my first music video (Sayyiyan Dil Mein Aana Re), I was so raw and all this was so new to me. Gradually as time passed by, I became more polished and I started judging what angle, moves and style would look good on me.
So how did acting happen? Was it a childhood dream?
It's a gradual process. I made appearance in movie videos and did some commercials. By that time, I was getting offers to act but I couldn't decide that whether my body and mind were prepared to work or 12 hours a day or not. Because in music videos and ads, you don't have daily shooting schedules, it's just for a day or two and then a break and then back to work. So it's more relaxed than acting in daily soaps. And when the right time came, I took up acting and I am glad that I took my own sweet time, because if I would have started at that time only, I would have been too raw.
Talking of your new show 'Madhubala', is it true that it's based on real life love story?
See, audiences need to understand and accept that it's not a movie - it's a TV show. We are not trying to show a story in 3-hour slot. It's a daily soap and would be shown just like others shows. This is a different show as it portrays the life of actors who are here to make it big in the film industry. It's about their life, emotions, mood swings, struggle, hard work and everything related to their journey. Normally, shows are shot on sets or studios but this is going to be bigger and would be shot at live larger than life locations against film industry as the backdrop.
What kind of character you are portraying in 'Madhubala'?
My role in the show is of a simple next door girl, who believes in simple living and has no big dreams as such. She doesn't aim to get anything grand in her life but a situation comes where stardom is forced upon her. The story shows how I am born on the sets of a film and my mom, who plays a junior artist, pushes me to become a big star and then my journey starts.
As an actor, does it really count who's playing your co-star in the show?
Honestly when I signed this (Madhubala) show, I didn't even know who would be my lead co-star. I got to know of it much later and I was glad to see Vivian because we already knew each other and were friends too. Moreover, I don't think who would be your co-star should matter a big deal, because at the end of the day it's your job and you have to act.
Otherwise, what parameters you consider before signing up any small screen project?
As for the main criteria while choosing a show is concerned, I think production house, script and what my hearts says matter the most. Apart from these, I have drawn lines for particular scenes that I am not comfortable doing on screen. Frankly speaking, I am very straight. If I am nervous, harassed, pressurized and uncomfortable to do a scene, I can't give my best to it, so why do it?
Playing Geet Handa in 'Geet Hui Sabse Parayi' has been the high point in your career so far. Share the experience.
The journey and whole experience while shooting for the show was great, but after a point of time, it started to look the same. There was nothing new or interesting happening and we as actors, also got bored and felt stagnant. There are shows that are running for over 3-4 years and still look so captivating because they keep introducing new twists, characters and issues. In case of Geet, same romance was being shown every time with a little twist. But overall, it's been the most significant phase of my acting career.
Do you ever feel bad that people know and call you more by your reel name 'Geet' and not your real name?
Hmmm, people still know me, recognize me and call me by my on screen name Geet Handa but now gradually they know my real name Drashti as well. I don't feel bad, rather I', glad that my character became so popular and everyone appreciated it. At the same time, I never let the thought come in my mind that I have lost my identity or things like that. After all, whatever publicity you get is good publicity, so I am happy.
Now, when you have already tasted small screen success, is Bollywood debut on the cards anytime soon?
No, no Bollywood at all. There is nothing at this moment, not even in my mind.
Credit: Drashti Dhami Web
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