“It’s a great feeling to share screen spa

Jaya Bhattacharya has been a working actor in Tellywood for more than a decade now. Starting with positive roles, the actress shone better in negative roles, giving a new face to evilness as Payal in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu thi. After a brief sabbatical, the actress is back to rock the screen once again with all new serials – Karam Apna Apna, Thodi si Zameen, Thoda Asamaan and Woh Rehne wali Mahalon ki. We decided to catch up with the bindaas lady and talk about her serials and future plans.

Q After a long break you are back on television with a bang. How do you feel?
It's great actually. In March this year I decided to take a small break because I was fed up of doing the same roles in daily soaps. I was getting tired of all this stupidity. It was very irritating and so I wanted to leave everything and go away for sometime. I was also fed-up of the kind of offers I was getting because they were all the same 'run of the mill' stuff. Well, after a long consideration I am again back on television with three new shows – Karam Apna Apna, Thodi Si Zameen, Thoda Asamaan and Wo Rahane Wali Mahalon ki. I accepted these offers as they are quite different from my previous works.

Q Let's discuss the characters in these shows?
I am playing a Punjabi character in Karam Apna Apna. I found this character very different and I was excited about playing this role. I have completed the first schedule in Kolkata and am currently shooting in Mumbai. Then there is Thodi Si Zameen, Thoda Aasmaan which I am very excited about and looking forward to. I am playing a dancer's role in this show. She lives in a Mumbai Chawl and has a very bad husband. She is a very bindaas and muhfatt (frank) kind of girl and is always ready to help others. Though she is not able to solve her own problems, she is always eager to help everyone around her and just can't ignore their tensions in life. I found the character more like me. And that was the main reason why I accepted this role.

Q You seem to have buried the hatchet with Tulsi (Smriti Irani) and share a good on-screen chemistry with her. Comment.
As you all know, Smriti and I worked together in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. She is a great co-star to work with. In Kyunki we were arch rivals, as I was playing a vamp in that serial. And it's great to be back with her in Thodi si… and play her friend. The feeling of sharing screen space with Smriti once again is wonderful. And I am sure people will enjoy it. Both the serials are from totally different genres.

Q You have played Bengali characters in a couple of Balaji serials. Is it because you yourself are of Bengali origin?
It's not true. I think I am ready to play any character where I fit in well. I never worry about whether the character is Bengali, Punjabi or of any other race. Where I played a Bengali character in Kkavyanjali and Kammal, I am also playing a Punjabi lady in Karam Apna Apna.

Q You have worked in a couple of films as well. Why have you given films a backseat?
I have never given films a back seat. I never planned to work in only films or only serials. It was my destiny, which has brought me here. Whatever came my way, I accepted it. I got few offers from films and I took them up. If something new comes, I will definitely consider.

Q Any new project you are currently doing?
Currently I am concentrating more on my new shows, which are on air right now. And I will not work on too many projects at the same time. I did it in the past and have already suffered the consequences then.