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Grey shades

Describing her role in the serial, Tina says, "I play Mahira Khan, a singer who has shades of grey. It's my first crossover and will appear once a week on the channel. I found the story really interesting and the characterisation of Mahira struck a chord with me."

When asked to describe her look, she says, "I play today's girl, so the outfits are very contemporary and western. Mahira isn't exactly a rebel, but has a mind of her own and does what she feels like.

She is highly ambitious and will go to any extent to get her things done. As Shruti, I have already established myself so it was challenging to play a character with different shades."

Gaate raho!

Sounding very excited about the music and the songs in the show, the actress gushes, "I play a singer and lip-synced some really lovely numbers. The songs are melodic and I keep singing them in my head."

About her pet show, Kahaani she says, "I will be providing support to my mother Parvati (Sakshi Tanwar) in these troubled times. Especially with Mohnish Behl's entry (as Suyaash Mehra), things will take an interesting turn."

Ask her about personal life and she says jokingly, "My life has becoming very boring I think. I will have to do something fun really soon."

tushar.joshi@mid-day.com

Death scene

After the cake was cut and the traditional Kahaani lamp lit, presiding guest of honour Jeetendra and the Kahaani gang, including Ekta Kapoor, took to the dance floor.

Except for Kiran Karmarkar, who had shot for his death scene the previous day.

Om Shanti Om

"It's a mixed feeling. I am sad about quitting as Om, but glad that it's literally Om Shanti Om for me. I am taking a six-month sabbatical from serials. After playing Om for five years, I guess I deserve a vacation. For now, I will be acting only in plays and movies," says Karmarkar, clad in a jacket, just like the Big B's on KBC.

Parvati's tearful goodbye

Kiran hugged all his Kahaani co-stars. Sakshi "Parvati" Tanwar said in a choked voice, "He'll make his presence felt in spirit."

This time, Shweta Kawatra (former Pallavi) was invited (she was missing last time) but the new Pallavi, Achint Kaur, was missing.

Ali Hassan came wearing a snazzy T-shirt. It was Shabbir Ahluwalia's birthday, and Ekta fondly wished Shabs a very happy janamdin.

Karan: The world knows you as Tulsi, but today, I am going to find out the inner world of Tulsi. So how does it feel?

Smriti: It's quiet a chaotic life trying to juggle between too many things. But then I have always believed that you have one life and I want to live my life to the fullest.

Karan: Ekta tells me her entire team was against casting you and it was only Ekta who supported the decision.

Smriti: Because I walked into her office in jeans and T-shirt and a jhola and chashma and kitaab. She just looked at me and said fine. That's all I heard from her. I thought that was the weirdest meeting.

Karan: Ekta has created icons out of the both of you, Tulsi and Parvati, and every woman in India wants to emulate you. How do you react to that euphoria?

Sakshi: I would say that a lot of credibility and responsibility have been attached to both of us because of the characters we are portraying, but to tell you very honestly, when this character was offered to me I didn't identify with it at all.

Karan: You play the same role everyday do you get fed up?

Sakshi: Fortunately, Karan, I am a very switch on-switch off performer, so I leave Parvati Agarwal in the Agarwal house after pack up and Sakshi goes home happily satisfied with her day's work. As far as being fed up is concerned, no I am not and for me it is like an exercise to make the scenes more interesting. It is a challenge.

Karan: And Ekta keeps it exciting killing the characters and bringing in new ones.

Smriti: You are getting me into trouble again! Once I told Ekta this is too much, how can I keep crying all the time? And she said, "You have to cry as my TRPs go up when you suffer!"

Karan: Oh god! The more you suffer the more people like to watch your show?

Smriti: What is wonderful about it is we have managed to connect with every household as a family. It's not just another show people watch.

This is a character that people relate to. I remember when the whole period when Mihir died and I was newly married with my chudas, and people used to hug me and cry and I had to tell them that I got newly married and the husband died in the show.

Karan: You want to play the lead role because you are used to it. So it's like coming into mainstream movies and getting lesser roles would bother the both of you I am sure.

Sakshi: Not me at least.

Driven by instincts

A gesture that can be traced back to his college days has taken the shape of a rigorous practice over the years for this 27-year-old. Says Ali, "You don't need to be a part of an animal welfare organisation to get active. It has to come out of your own consciousness."

Every morning, before leaving for his shoot, the actor checks the food bag comprising biscuits, bread and milk packets that he carries with himself. Adds Ali, "I don't want to be perceived as a good Samaritan. I'm not making a statement either; I simply follow my instincts."

Street urchins refuse food

Talking about his experiences the actor tells us that street urchins and beggars have often thrown the food on his face, asking for money instead. Says Ali, "It's a common sight today — you have these toddlers knocking on your window at traffic signals. I prefer giving them food.

They have thrown away the biscuits, saying they only want money." Adds a close friend of the actor, "I don't know what pleasure he derives out of this. I just can't see myself getting yelled at by a beggar because I've given him food to eat. But I do appreciate the urge and willingness in him to make a difference to a life."

sandipan.dalal@mid-day.com