TOI: Had a horror of a saas-Navneet

I had a horror of a saas

Navniit Nisshan isnt talking about a TV serial but her real life! In a chat with Lisa Antao the actress talks about life,relationships and her telly journey


Playing the lead role in the soap opera in Tara made Navniit Nisshan a household name in the 90s.She was also seen in popular shows like Kasautii Zindagii Kay,Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahi,etc.Her last TV show was Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa.Having a background in theatre,she also dabbled in Punjabi movies and Bollywood movies like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke,Raja Hindustani,Akele Hum Akele Tum and My Name Is Khan,to name a few.Navniit,who has built a repertoire playing the sophisticated and menacing lady is back again on TV after a hiatus of four years in Hitler Didi.Excerpts from an interview:

Hey,youre back...


Around one-and-a-half years ago,I did a show for which I shot for three months but somehow the show didnt see the light of the day.There I played a small town Punjabi sardarni,And I loved the character so much,putting my heart and soul it.But when show got discontinued even before it was aired,I was totally heartbroken.I didnt feel like doing TV.I was also offered Phulwa and Sasural Simar Ka but I didnt feel like taking it up.I chose Hitler Didi because its not really a negative character per say.I essay the character of Mrs Simi Diwan,someone with grey shades.I have been instructed not to play a negative role as I have been playing the rich bitch for the past 20 years now.

So you dont like playing the bad one...


Thats because Im not at all like that in real life.Im a Gandhian and lead a simple life.But then,playing such characters also serves as a catharsis for pentup stress and frustration in real life! (laughs heartily ).On the other hand,people have also type-casted me to play comedy characters.But what I really want,is to play real characters.I want to play a poor mother,just to show that theres much more I can do,besides playing these negative and comic roles.

Is TV different today,than from your Tara days


During my Tara days,people didnt want to play negative characters.But today the mantra is bad is the new good.Also,we have bigger budgets now,but aesthetically speaking,theres no soul in TV today.Earlier,the script was of utmost importance and actors wanted to prove their mettle as performers.However,TV today is more like a business,its all about generating quantity rather than quality.

Tell us about your personal life.Are you married Kids


I had a horrible one-year marriage that ended 10 years ago.It was a love marriage,we dated for two years before getting hitched but the marriage ended as culturally we were very different individuals.I had a horror of a saas.It was exactly like a TV drama.When my marriage ended,I became a recluse.I now think of myself as a sanyasi.And no,I dont have kids.