Ram n Gautami-nov 2000 issue

For those who haven't been watching Ghar Ek Mandir, this is how the
story goes:
Remake of the most successful daily soap in the South called "Kudumbam", it is a story of two individuals - Aanchal (Gautami Shroff) and Rahul ( Ram Kapoor) -married to each other under unusual (call it even abnormal) circumstances, after the tragic death of Aanchal's fiance
Prem who happens to be Ram's elder brother too! As a married couple they find themselves caught in the oddest of situations. Both loved Prem
dearly and they find his memories creating an unbreakable barrier between them ...While there are other characters too in the serial and
different plots. which frankly speaking, happen to be the sore point in an otherwise good Ghar Ek Mandir.. it is Gautami and Ram who catch the
viewer's sole interest. To watch them, people don't mind forgoing their precious afternoon
snooze! Today Gautami and Ram popularly known by their screen names Aanchal and Rahul have grown to become the most sought after telewood
couple in town!

And here they are!
Meet the new stars on the block
Gautami Shroff and Ram Kapoor

Gautami Shroff is a stunningly fresh and elegant actress..
Meet GAUTAMI SHROFF and RAM KAPOOR - the stars of Ghar Ek Mandir.

"Ghar Ek Mandir has been the turning point of my career"
A couple of serials old, she is one of the most sought after TV actresses today, having gained the reputation for being truly talented. Gautami Shroff is a stunningly fresh and elegant actress whose performance sets her squarely apart from her contemporaries. Her firm belief in herself and her choice of the projects has put her in a position of having serials with some of the most talented directors on the scene. Gautami Shroff talks about her unusual role in Ekta Kapoor's daily soap Ghar Ek Mandir...

You hail from an academically inclined family. How come then you chose acting as your profession?

What should I say? Destiny, I guess. Isn't it strange? I always wanted to become a doctor. My father is a doctor and my mother is a principal of a nursing college, Nair Hospital. I have graduated with Life sciences and then I did a Para medical course. I have also done a diploma in medical lab technology. Acting was something I was not even remotely connected to. But I guess some things are just meant to be that way.

How did acting happen?

It happened by mere chance. I had gone to Gautam Rajadhyaksha (photographer) to collect a friend's portfolio. Gautam saw me and casually suggested that I should get my portfolio done. Although it never occurred to me till then, I decided to give it a thought. But I knew it was an expensive affair and my father would refuse to do anything with it. He would rather invest his money in buying books for me than doing something as frivolous as getting a portfolio done.
But things just happened. Like I said earlier, whatever has to happen happens.

You have been around for the past one and a half years. Do you wish you had become a doctor instead?

No, I do not regret being in this profession at all. In fact I am enjoying every minute of it. The only regret I have today is for not having done a formal acting course. It would have helped me tremendously. I would have learnt the nuances of acting and things would have been easier. No, it doesn't mean that I am having a difficult time now. It is just that I would have been more polished then.

Did you have to struggle much to keep pace with your competitors?

Yeah. It was little difficult initially. I was not used to working for such long hours. But with the passage of time I have learnt to deal with situations. And today I am happy because so much is happening and there is a lot of good work that is being offered to me. It is becoming impossible to say no because they are such fabulous roles. Besides people are also willing to adjust. Tell me, what more could have I asked for.

I believe, initially you were not too keen on Ghar Ek Mandir?

Yeah. There is too much binding for a daily soap and I was not prepared for that. I am used to working at my own relaxed pace. However it was Ekta Kapoor who was persistent as she was very convinced that I should play Aanchal. Thanks to her, Ghar Ek Mandir, I must say has been the turning point of my career. I loved the role.


• What was it about the role that fascinated you?
  
  It is an author- backed role. Aanchal, the character I play is a very strong woman but at the same time very sensitive too. She is caring but very tough on the exterior. The best part was that I did not have to prepare for the role simply because I identify with the character totally. Aanchal is so much like me. I am sure I would react to situations the same way as she does. The only thing that sets us apart is that she is too strong a woman where I am pretty much vulnerable.

SORRY if it was posted before

kool..thanks for sharing! 😉