Transcript of LIVE CHAT with Mona

Transcripts of LIVE INDIATIMES CHAT with TV actress, Mona Singh at 2pm (IST) on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 in Mumbai

Mona Singh
TV actress

"The braces I wore as 'Jassi' caused me great discomfort. But I kept telling myself that to get something one had to give away a little; every night I had to bear the ache in my gums"


Hemalatha > Mona, we love both, you and Apoorva. I hope you both will do more serials together. Any serial coming up in the future?
Mona Singh > Nothing as of now. I'd love to work with Apoorva. As an actor we have a rocking onscreen chemistry.

Ovi_nd_izzy > First of all, congratulation on winning the ITA (Indian Television Award). You and Apoorva truly deserve it. And second of all, when you see 'Armaan Sir', can you give him a tight kiss from me to convey my congratulation?
Mona Singh > Thanks for all your wishes. It's only because of you that I got the award and as for the KISS, I'll give you the opportunity to do that!

Fan > Have you finally come out of the shadows of 'Jassi' and established your own identity?
Mona Singh > See, I never faced an identity crisis. I completely enjoyed playing 'Jassi' and after the onscreen make over, I am completely out of the 'old Jassi mode'!

Varsha > Hi Mona. How did you get into acting? Who influenced you to take up acting? Since when have you been acting?
Mona Singh > I always wanted to be an actor. I guess I was born with it. I used to watch a lot of TV shows like Udaan etc. I have been acting since two years, and my first project was Jassi' . I have done my B.Com from Pune.

Simi > Don't you think the makers have made ' Jassi' a weak character now? She changes her identities often, has lost her family and the love of her life, Armaan Suri.
Mona Singh > I agree. Changing me again wasn't right, but I guess that's what the story is about. As for my onscreen family, they will always love me.

Hemalatha > Mona, do you and Apoorva have any idea about how crazy we all are after your on-screen pair! We consider, and now the whole world agrees that you and Apoorva are the Shahrukh and Kajol of small screen. In fact, now this telly award also has confirmed it. Like in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai both Shahrukh and Kajol got the best actor and actress award that year! And this year both you and Apoorva were judged the best actors in the Male and the Female categories. You both are just fabulous!
Mona Singh > Wow, thank you so much! Being seen in the same light as Shahrukh and Kajol is the biggest compliment we both can get. Didn't know that you guys think of us in the same manner.

Karun > Did the braces you were wearing actually spoil your teeth? Did you need to wear braces in real life too?
Mona Singh > It was something very painful so I kept telling myself that to get something one has to give away a little. Every night my gum used to pain. I had a good set of teeth and never needed braces. But to play the character of 'Jassi' had to wear them. In fact, I started developing cavities in my front tooth. Now I am fine.

Simi > Jassi was once an icon for many but now she is just like any k-serial heroine. Why didn't the makers stick to the original script of Betty La Fea which had become successful in 25 countries?
Mona Singh > The script of Betty La Fea got over after her transformation but here we took the story forward; (as actors) can't do much on the story part.

Rokoi > Aren't you fed-up with playing Jassi ?
Mona Singh > No, not yet. Still enjoying it because of love and appreciation I am getting from the viewers.

Simi > Are you and Karan Oberoi into a relationship. Karan says he can't hide his feelings for you and you say you are just good friends. What is the truth?
Mona Singh > Karan says he does not want to discuss his personal life. Most people think that a boy and girl can only be in a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship. It's very clichd thinking. There's no relationship between the two of us. We understand each other very well and are good friends.

Monni > If your name is indeed Jasmeet Walia then why don't you object to it when media called you Mona or have you decided to adopt 'Mona' as your screen name?
Mona Singh > Actually, my original name is Jasmeet that has been officially changed to Mona SIngh. The idea of Jasmeet came to the channel when they came to know that my name was Jasmeet in my school certificated etc. They decided to retain it as my onscreen name as well so that while giving interviews I wouldn't get stuck. But I had changed my name to Mona (before signing on to play 'Jassi') because I always liked this short and sweet name.

Hemalatha > Mona please, it is a request. Let us know which was the most memorable scene according to you, with Apoorva that is "Armaan Sir" in Jassi Jasi Koi Nahin !
Mona Singh > There have been quite a few. The best was I guess when, during his engagement party, he took me aside and told me for the first time that he loved me.

Prince3kin > Jassi, what do you think about marriage? Will you consider Punjabi guys for that?
Mona Singh > Don't mind Punjabi guys. I find them smart. But marriage, as of now, is too far from my mind.

Scip_shinjan > Do you think Jassi is losing out to the various new serials that are on air now, in different channels?
Mona Singh > I don't think so but there is a serious competition now-a-days. Television viewers have various options to watch the show of their choice.

Ramesh > What are your forthcoming projects?
Mona Singh > Right now, it's just Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin . I have signed up for a movie with Bobby Pushkarna (film, Page 3 producer). And as for serials - none as yet.

Andy > Were you the model in the Asian Paints advertisements? Why did you keep denying it in the past?
Mona Singh > Yes, I was definitely the model. I was sticking to my onscreen presence and brief of Jassi and couldn't talk about the model that I was prior to that.

Prince3kin > Mona, you are so beautiful. What did you feel during those days when you were in the makeup of old Jassi ?
Mona Singh > Even then I felt beautiful because I got lots of love from all of you!

Armi_12 > Mona, I just love the way you emote! Brilliant! I would love to watch you with Big B. Would you like to do something path breaking like (movie) Black with Big B?
Mona Singh > Defintely! It would be the most exciting thing to do in my life!

Rimi > Always wanted to know how did you manage to keep your actual identity such a closely guarded secret for such a long time? Now that you are known as Mona, it would be interesting to know how you led that life as Jassi ?
Mona Singh > Well, it was quite difficult to be like that. But there was a huge responsibility entrusted on me. I was given strict instructions by the channel not to divulge anything about my self to anyone. I used to be on shoots for 20 hours a day. Hence, didn't have a personal life. At home, I used to be my own self but would leave for work early in the morning. So, people didn't know who I was. Even my neighbors didn't know much, except that I was a very busy person. Now they know.

Sign Off Message > Thanks for coming online and making me feel important. Since my shooting time is getting delayed, I will come back again some other time and chat. Thanks. Bye.