-*interview with Twinkle Bajpai*-

"I'M NOT INTERESTED IN PLAYING ANY SEXY CHARACTER"

HER SINGING PROWESS WAS ADMIRED BY ONE AND ALL DURING ZEE'S SA RE GA MA PA CHALLENGE 2005. MOST REMEMBER TWINKLE BAJPAI AS THE PRETTY GIRL FROM LUCKNOW, WHOSE HUSKY VOICE GAVE HER A DISTINCTIVE EDGE OVER THE OTHER CONTESTANTS. BUT FEW WERE AWARE OF THE ACTING TALENT IMMERSED IN THIS TALENTED 21-YEAR-OLD.

AS LAXMI FROM ZEE'S GHAR KI LAKSHMI BETIYAAN, TWINKLE HAS TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF THE INDIAN TELEVISION AUDIENCE, WITH HER STRONG PORTRAYAL OF A WOMAN, WHO TAKES NONSENSE FROM NO ONE. LAKSHMI IS HONEST TO A FAULT, FORTHRIGHT AND INDEPENDENT IN HER THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS, MUCH LIKE TWINKLE IS IN REAL TIME. IT CAN'T BE HARD PLAYING A CHARACTER, WITH WHOM YOU SHARE SO MANY PERSONALITY TRAITS. BUT THAT IS SOMETHING ONLY TWINKLE CAN ANSWER. HERE'S AN INTRODUCTION TO TWINKLE BAJPAI, THE NEWEST STAR ADDITION TO THE BANDWAGON OF DAILY SOAP ACTORS.

SHE'S STILL A STUDENT, IN HER FINAL YEAR OF B.A, AND REACHED THE TOP EIGHT IN SA RE GA MA PA CHALLENGE 2005. AFTER HER ELIMINATION, SHE WENT ON TO PARTICIPATE IN EK MAIN AUR EK TU, WHICH WAS THE COUPLES COMPETITION PART OF SA RE GA MA PA. SHE REACHED THE TOP FOUR THERE, AND SOON AFTER AUDITIONED FOR GHAR KI LAKSHMI…. "THEY SELECTED ME AS THEIR MAIN LEAD, WHICH WAS VERY UNEXPECTED, BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ACTING. IT'S BEEN A YEAR NOW SINCE THE SHOW BEGAN, AND AT THE SAME TIME, I'M SINGING FOR SHOWS LIKE ASTITVA AWARDS AND GLADRAGS… FOR ZEE."

ST: What happens to your main singing career? Does it take a backseat to acting?

TB: It's still on. I wake up every morning, and do my riyaaz. I've sung for two films, one of which is a little controversial, so it hasn't released.

ST: Was acting her main ambition?

TB: As a kid, I would always say I wanted to be an actress. But my interest in singing increased while growing up. So I forgot about my dream of becoming an actress. When the Zee people came up with the idea of me trying my hand at acting, I thought of giving it a shot.

I won't say they've been partial to me just because I was a part of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa…. I had to give an audition, and pass it to get the role. They suggested my name to Dheerajji (Kumar), and I was taken on only because they liked me for the role. I auditioned three-four times, because they kept changing the character. Ultimately, they took me as their lead.

ST: Saying that would be a little presumptuous right? Considering there are three other characters who are also the betis of the house. Isn't she just one among the four leads?

TB: I agree with you. As such, no one is the main lead. The serial has my character name, Ghar Ki 'Lakshmi' Betiyaan, so they call me their main lead. Otherwise, in daily soaps, it depends completely on your track. And of course the TRPs and the audience's reaction to your character.

ST: The public reaction to her character Lakshmi has been fabulous to say the least, but what about her parents? Are they supporting her in her acting endeavours?

TB: My parents are very happy; they've always been there for me, in whatever I've done in life. It's only because of them that I've been able to achieve so much. Actually, before coming here, I was preparing for my IAS. I was going for coaching classes. And I thought after completing my graduation, I'll sit for the IAS exams.

I was never desperate to get into this line. When acting came to me, it came as a surprise. I've learnt so much from my directors, my co-actors, all on the job. Whatever I know about acting, it's because of Ghar Ki Lakshmi…. I'm sure that I'll continue with both acting and singing.

ST: What about movies? Has she given a thought to a Bollywood career?

TB: I haven't tried for movies yet. But I'm looking forward to it. I'm not ready to wear a lot of revealing clothes. I'm just not comfortable with wearing something, which is low-necked or cleavage-showing. I'm not interested in playing any sexy character, but I'd love to play a bubbly character. I would love to be like Rani Mukerji, the typical girl-next-door. I want that image.

ST: Since she already has qualms about exposing, has she given a thought to the casting couch threat, which looms large in the film industry?

TB: It's not just in the film industry; it's in the TV industry, in the media, the corporate world, everywhere. I think it is all about how you carry yourself, how you present yourself before people. In the two years of my career, I have never received an offer like this. At the age of 21, I'm doing pretty well for myself.

I'm earning enough; I have a decent living, and haven't come across the casting couch yet. Maybe because I've been lucky, and most of the time, people have been pretty unlucky about this. I'll just say, it depends completely on you as an individual.

ST: That apart, what kind of work is she looking forward to doing on television?

TB: I don't want to play a mother or a saas, that's for sure. If there's a leap, then I wouldn't be doing the show. After all, I'm just 21.

ST: But there are several 21-year-olds playing mothers already.

TB: Yeah, but I wouldn't do it. I won't be comfortable. I have my singing career as well, so it could affect my image. I'm looking forward to launching myself in a new album. I'd rather project myself as a young girl. I'm quite happy with whatever I'm doing today. Everyday, when I wake up, I thank God for everything he has given me, and only then do I leave my house. He has made me everything that I am today.

ST: Besides God, Twinkle repeatedly thanks Zee TV for helping her cope with all her initial problems, and for giving her a complete makeover. Yup, this pretty girl needed some direction as well.

TB: Earlier, I had a lot of problems, I would fall sick very often. While I was a part of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa…I was quite weak, and had to be put on saline. When I'd come from Lucknow, I was some 65-70 kilos and very fat. In six months, they gave me a beautiful makeover. That's when I realized that I could look nice.

I was a complete tomboy before, wearing shorts, who would play football and be in the company of boys, playing video games and flying kites. I was never bothered about my skin or hair. It was only when I came to Mumbai, post the grooming sessions that I realized my potential. Now, I've adjusted and become a little girly.

ST: She sure is a lovely looking girl now. And that has definitely not gone unnoticed by the opposite sex. She must definitely have a special someone in her life, right?

TB: I like somebody but I cannot say anything now, because ultimately my parents have to decide. If I tell them that I like somebody, they won't say anything to him. It's not like I'm seeing somebody but I'm 21 now, and thinking of seeing someone. Let's put it this way, someone is definitely in mind. But I'd prefer to wait for my parent's approval.

Also, I think I should settle down in my career first to give my 100 per cent to my relationship. Immature steps have serious repercussions like divorce. I don't want to go through that. I feel that ultimately marriage is a human being's destiny. I completely believe in that. That's why I want to do the best that I can in my career and then get married. I don't mind marrying in my thirties either.

ST: So she's one of those who want to get done with career, before embarking on the domestic route?

TB: Kind of. After I have my kids, I wouldn't continue working. I'll sit at home and take care of them. When I was a child, both my parents were working. I didn't get too much of their time and attention. They gave me everything, and were very loving and caring. But I want to be a hands-on mother, who's always there for her kids.