'Comedy Circus will be a refreshing experience'
Doing one daily soap is more than enough for most television actors. Those who are a little more ambitious do not mind accommodating a cameo or a reality show in their busy schedule. But Sayantani Ghosh is not just ambitious. She is a self-confessed workaholic too. The Bengali girl, who moved in from Kolkata to Mumbai in search of greener pastures and bigger stardom is doing three shows simultaneously — a prime time daily, a weekend fiction-fantasy drama and a stand-up reality comedy. So what makes her work round-the-clock?
"It's not a conscious decision to work everyday from morning to night. In fact, I don't believe in planning anything because it doesn't work like that. I like to go with the flow and let things happen. It's just that one show led to another and now I find myself doing three shows. It's quite hectic, but I am managing it because my producers support me," says Sayantani, who had done three Bengali films before she came to Mumbai two years ago.
Her perception of glamour, name and fame changed when Rituparno Ghosh told her to move to Mumbai and try her luck in Hindi films. Films haven't happened so far, but television has definitely kept her quite busy.
Nothing was a cakewalk though. Sayantani walked out of her debut show because she didn't get what she was promised and suddenly found herself living alone in Mumbai doing nothing. However, she has done quite well for herself, she says. "Playing the main protagonist in Ghar Ek Sapna has been a very satisfying experience. In fact, it's an entirely different experience when you are working with Ajai Sinha. His stories and characters are so real. Even after abiding by the rules of daily soaps, Ajaiji is so particular about his story and script that he will not sacrifice good content for the sake of ratings," she elaborates.
While Ghar Ek Sapna is less commercial and more realistic, Naagin Vaadon Ki Agnipariksha is a typical commercial television show. "It has all the popular elements like myth, fantasy and a bit of superstition. But it's a good break for me from the serious work I do in Ghar Ek Sapna," she adds, laughing. The main reason behind doing Naagin, according to Sayantani, is that it is a Zee TV show produced by Aruna Irani. "Arunaji is a gem of a producer. Besides, Zee is a very popular channel. People, who don't watch my show on Sahara see me in Naagin. I think besides doing good work, popularity is also very important. Naagin is a popular show where I also get to dance and fight. It is great fun," she says. While she juggles two drastically different serials with panache, comedy is no easy job either. For someone who has never done comedy before, Sayantani admits that Comedy Circus will be a big challenge for her.
"I don't want to make a fool of myself and therefore I am taking the show very seriously. I have not done comedy before, but I am giving at least three hours for rehearsals every day. I know it's going to be tough to do stand-up acts, but it will help me get rid of my inhibitions," she says. She also admits that getting the timing right and performing in sync with her partner is going to be tough. But challenges keep her going. (A. L. C.)
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
