It was a mental torture to be ’Jassi’

It was a mental torture to be 'Jassi'

'Jassi' Mona Singh speaks to Subhash K Jha on the trauma of being Jassi 24/7, and rumours of a romance

Jassi…
No, don't call me that any more. I'm Mona. I have to find my own identity now. It has been three years since I;ve been Jassi! It has drained me mentally. Imagine telling people all the time that I wasn't Mona, that I was this character named Jassi. Initially, I enjoyed the anonymity. But after a while it became a mental torture to be 'Jassi' even at award functions. I would plead with my channel (Sony) to let me be myself as it was Mona Singh and not Jassi who received the awards. But they insisted.

So how did you cope?
My family kept me clued in to reality. I had become like Clark Kent, waiting to be Superman. I used to keep repeating to myself, 'Jassi isn't me and I'm not Jassi.' In the morning when I'd wake up, my hands would automatically go to my face to look for the wig, the glasses… When Jassi's make-over happened in Mauritius I couldn't act! I needed the props (braces, wig, etc) to emote. I forgot my dialogues!

Are you now comfortable with your own natural looks?
Yes, I am. It took me a while. After the make-over, I would get startled by my own image. Even today, when I look like my normal self I hide behind the nearest flower-pot…and then tell myself, 'Mona, you don't have to hide.'

What are your plans for the future?

I never plan anything. Whenever I do, it all goes for a toss. I just believe in going with the flow. I am going to take a breather immediately after Jassi. I've no plans to do another serial. But I'm doing a film with Bobby Pushkarna.

Do you play an ordinary middleclass girl?

I play a middleclass girl who is not ordinary in any way.

A lot of criticism has been leveled at your serial for dragging its feet?

How come no one talks about Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi dragging on?

Are you fearful of the future?

I'm not sure of what else I can do besides Jassi… But I'm not going to burst into an item number just to prove I'm not Jassi in real life. I hope there're some good roles written for me. After going through so many personality transformations in Jassi…I can play a psycho very well (laughs).

What about your romance with Karan Oberoi?

What romance? I'm too ambitious to get into a relationship.

But the two of you sing songs to each other! Each other?

I sang to the whole crew of Jassi and he happened to be a part of it. Karan is definitely a good pal, just like Nandu is. They can't link me with Nandu. So they link me with Karan.

Who's Nandu?

My other co-star Gaurav in Jassi… Sorry, I shouldn't call him Nandu.

Finally, how much money have you accumulated in your bank account?

Not even a crore. I've become a very rich woman in terms of experience. There is no point in doing your work if you don't enjoy it. There were times when I wasn't convinced of what Jassi had to do and didn't want to shoot. Then I'd get a call from the channel saying, 'Listen this is a daily. Don't ask questions. Just convince people even if you aren't convinced.'


* When Jassi's make-over happened in Mauritius I couldn't act! I needed the props (braces, wig, etc) to emote
— Mona Singh