| September 1 marks the second anniversary of Sony daily Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. Along with the celebrations is Jassi's birthday bash that will unfold in the show from next week. Though the channel does not want to spell out what has been lined-up, it mentions that there will be lots of music and masti.
Last year, as part of the first anniversary bash, the Post and Telegraph Department had released a special cover on Jassi — the first time in the country that a TV character had graced a stamp cover. As for model-turned-actress Mona Singh, who plays Jassi, it has been a steady climb to being a TV icon, as she reflects on those Jassi moments… There was no response for two months after the auditions
My family is based in Pune and I came down to Mumbai to audition for the role of Jassi. I had approached Deeya and Tony Singh, as I liked their earlier show, Banegi Apni Baat.
It was the first production house I had approached. Deeya asked me to imagine that I was dressing up a character (which I later realised was Bebe!) and sing a song. I sang Payale Chun Mun, from Viraasat. The auditions were held in February 2003. For two months, there was no reply. Then in May, out of the blue, Deeya called me for another audition. I had to undergo 15 screen tests
I did not know what the show was about. They told me it was something big, and they wanted me to look like a complete nerd for it. They dressed me as a Punjabi, Gujarati, South Indian. I had two plaits, two ponytails, a handkerchief pinned on me.
They kept experimenting and I would have to keep coming from Pune to Mumbai for the auditions. I had no clue what I was playing. After some 15 screen tests, I was finally on — and realised what the show was about. Deeya would take me shopping for the character — we did the rounds of opticians and dentists, till we found what was perfect. It became my best-kept secret…
I was sworn to secrecy; no one except my immediate family knew about it. When the show was launched, I was kept away from the media. I even changed my mobile number so no one could contact me. My voice was a give away
After the episodes were aired, several of my friends would ask me, 'Is that you Mona?'. I would tell them to keep quiet. When I was in Jassi garb, I could move about easily, till I spoke — then people would wonder. I have a distinctive voice that was a give-away. I felt like a rock star
My first public event soon after Jassi aired was in a Delhi shopping mall. The crowds were frightening. There were people falling off the escalator. Mothers were asking little daughters to touch my feet! Later, in Kolkata, there were people biting each other to photograph me. That's when I felt like a rock star, that Jassi had arrived. I didn't mind the Jassi paraphernalia
Simply because I knew there was going to be a transformation – even though it was delayed. The only time when I wished I was not in Jassi garb was when Saif Ali Khan came on the show, and once when Shah Rukh Khan came on the sets with his kids to meet me. I had to meet them as Jassi! The most difficult part of shooting were the tears
I can't cry in public easily. I keep my emotions to myself — even with glycerine, I couldn't have the tears. Then Viruji (Virendra Saxena), who plays my father, actually cried; looking at his efforts, I began to sob. I learnt to cry, and my tears for Armaan Sir didn't stop. Anything after Jassi will have to be really good
I know that with my first show itself, I have reached a high. To take on any new projects after Jassi will have to be really well thought out and pondered over decision. I have signed Bobby Pushkarna's Main To Chala, for which I will shoot from December. | 
Arjun
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