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Barun and I are Good Actors: Sanaya Irani
12/13/2012
Sanaya Irani
Sanaya Irani played the lead character in the immensely popular 'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon' on Star Plus. With her co-star Barun Sobti, the two created magic on screen every evening for viewers around the globe. The show was regularly among the top 10 in TRPs from the time it began a year and a half ago. Then, Barun Sobti whose screen charisma has set the hearts of ladies everywhere beating wildly, decided to take a break from the show. On Indian television, when actors quit, the characters are usually replaced with another actor ' Gia Manek, Sushant Rajput and Monish Behl are just a few examples ' and the show continues on. But Barun Sobti was a superstar and the channel, based on the feedback it was getting from all quarters including livid fans, decided to can the show, pretty much overnight. So while Barun Sobti and Sanaya Irani fans in the U.K. wildly wowing them in November, the channel made the decision and informed the stunned cast and crew of its decision. Even now, Sanaya and Barun are inundated with requests to star together again, so powerful has their on screen persona been. They have won multiple "best Jodi" awards and off screen are known for their playfulness and their friendship which extends to their families. Sanaya was in Los Angeles for the shopping fest where fans stood in line to get autographs and pictures with the beautiful, down to earth and bubbly star. India Journal spoke with her:
Q: You started your career as a model. How did you get your first break?
A: I don't know what I will call as my first break. But for me, when I started modeling, there was this point where things just clicked and I stared doing a lot of ads. So for me, that was my first break. Then there was no looking back. Ads led to further things and it went on.
Q: You made your acting debut with 'Fanaa.' How was it working with Kajol?
A: I don't like to speak about 'Fanaa' because honestly I wasn't acting in the film. So that's not something I'm really proud of or would like to talk about. But I also did that because I think Kajol and Aamir both are fantastic actors and that was the only reason why I wanted to do that. But if I were to go back in time, I think I would not do it.
Q: Why so?
A: Because I wasn't acting. Not that I was a great actor and one should have made me act so much, but no regrets, it's just that I don't consider it one of the things. Like people say she's done Fanaa, I don't know what the big deal is. Just because it's a film, "no". I think in all my shows, I've done a better job than I did in that film. So, that's the last thing I would talk about. But it was really good working with both of them. I really think both of them are fabulous people and even better actors. But Kajol and Aamir are so different in their acting style, which was amazing for me to watch. Aamir is like so into it, so methodical about the whole thing and he is prepared before he goes in, which is amazing because to watch somebody who's done so much and still with every role, he's there. But Kajol on the other hand, so spontaneous and still so amazing! So you are seeing two amazing actors but their approach is so different.
Q: Were you nervous working with Kajol and Amir?
A: No, not at all! I'm just not the nervous kind of person. I don't get nervous easily. Nobody intimidates me. Being around big actors or anything like that, does not make me nervous.
Q: After a movie, what was TV like? What made you switch to TV?
A: I never intended to do films. So, when Yash Raj had called me for that role, I had rejected it. I had said no because I don't like to do small roles, roles that are miniscule, have no importance in the story. I had said no prior three times when I was called for auditions. When I was called the third time, somebody mentioned that Amir and Kajol were in the film. That's when I went ahead and did it. I just did it to watch them, to see how they work. And at that time I was just doing ads, so I thought a matter of 15-18 days is not going to change my life. So that's why I did it. It was no intention to get into acting or to get a break into films. I don't care if I do a film or don't do a film.
Q: So, you are happy with acting in TV?
A: I am very happy with acting. See that's why Fanaa doesn't count for me because that is something I would never do in my life. That is zero acting for me. I want to do stuff where I can explore my acting skills. TV has let me do that. Each character of mine has let me do that. It doesn't matter if it is TV, theatre, films; I need to do good roles. I need to do things where I feel good. When I did Gunjan, people loved me, they appreciated me. When I did Khushi, people then realized, she can do best of both. Khushi has so many graphs in her character. There is crying, happy, comedy, romance. So that really let me do a lot of things as an actor which, I love and I think that's what people appreciate. So these things matter to me.
Q: You have done a negative role in the beginning of your career. What made you take that risk?
A: You are talking about Radha Ki Bitiya ' it wasn't full on negative. It was a jealous girl so it wasn't like the scheming typical saas-bahu negative. When I started off, they had told me that she is not a bad person. It's just a grey shade-she is obviously possessive of her boyfriend. I did it because like I am saying repeatedly, I love experimenting. So I was doing left-right-left at that time, with the same production house. It was a positive role. So when they offered me this, I thought wow I can do two things at the same time, so that is why I took it up because it was a challenge and I could explore my potential. And then slowly the grey started becoming negative. It's not that I wasn't comfortable with it, but I starting trying as I wanted to see if I could do the negative thing. I was actually picking it up, but then I got better offers like 'Miley Jab Hum Tum' and I was only working 4 days a month for that show. I was not going to give up 25 days for 4 days, so that's when I moved on.
But I don't see risks. For me it is about acting. I don't pick roles or shows on basis of how popular it can get. I pick them up on basis of how happy I can be when I go every day to shoot and do that role.
Q: How does it feel now that "Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon" has come to an end?
A: Its mixed emotions. I am going to miss the people that I worked with because this is the most fabulous team I've ever worked with. I am going to miss Khushi as a character. It gave me lots to do but I did it all. So it is ok. I am happy. I don't think there was anything left at all for Khushi to do in terms of exploring acting. I gave my best to Khushi 'I did it till the end. I'm sure something better will come my way.
Q: What is the secret behind your sizzling chemistry with Barun Sobti?
A: It is really weird when people say sizzling chemistry (laughs) between us! Like the other day, one of the other actors' who plays Aakash ' Barun's brother in the show, said, "you both are the most amazing actors I've ever met" because we are just very different off-screen from what we are on-screen. The way we are off-screen, you could never imagine Barun and me pulling off such passionate scenes on screen. It's weird and I don't know how to explain it but I truly believe that we are good actors. After this, I truly believe that we are good actors!
Q: In your opinion, what made the show- Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon- such a raging success?
A: I am not going to take away from the entire creative team, the producers who started off with the story, which was very interesting. It's Gul's forte ' she is really good with the romance and the passion and she gave it her best. And that is what clicked with everybody. But I also do believe that everybody on this team was a good actor. When you are a good actor, that's when they fall in love with your character; they fall in love with everything. So it is a mixture of everything-very good creativity, the entire creative team and the actors.
Q: You have done a lot of commercials and music videos. Which one is your favorite?
A: I honestly have very bad memory. I don't remember! I did like 150 commercials. I can't remember anything I did. It has been many years back and music videos I did only 2 or 3. I know there was a Jagjeet Singh's video that I did that I really liked. I liked the location. I was in Austria shooting, and it was just beautiful! So, of the music videos, I think that was my favorite. And the commercials, I don't remember.
Q: When do you plan to tie the knot? And with whom?
A: I don't know why everyone asks me this! When I do plan to tie the knot, everyone will know. I am dating Mohit Sehgal and I am hoping it is him and no one else! (laughs) But I am not tying the knot right now. I am just working, he is working and we'll take it as it goes.
Q: What do you think of Star Plus's Artesia Shopping festival?
A: I can't say much about the festival because I was not a part of it. I was just standing at the booth and giving autographs. But it was good to see the number of people that did turn out and it was overwhelming but my first shock was I think UK-that is when I got my biggest shock realizing that so many people outside of India watch our shows. So, I was prepared for this. This wasn't a surprise for me. It was very overwhelming when I hit UK-that was the first destination. So that was crazy and it just follows. I now know what the norm is. But it makes me feel really good that now even my show is over, but still people are coming to me and they are telling me that they love me and that they wished that the show wasn't over. But every good thing has to come to an end.
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