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Q: We gather you are not from Mumbai. Would you tell us something about your background?

I come from a close-knit Surat family in Gujarat, which includes my folks and elder sister. I completed my schooling from there and later on, came to Pune for higher studies.

Q: Then how did you land up in Mumbai?

Well, I was studying in Pune and had almost finished my junior college. It so happened that one day I came to know about this audition Balaji was having for Kasamh Se. I casually walked in and auditioned. What followed was a call from the production house and I was here!

Q: That means you left your studies incomplete?

Yes, I had no other option. Either I could complete my studies or I could pursue my dream — of becoming an artiste.

Q: Don't you think you are making a mistake by not completing your studies before leaping into Tellywood?

I know that's true, but then acting is my passion. I do intend to at least complete my graduation though. It would not be in physiology (which I wanted to do earlier) as I would have to do some simpler course given the fact that it would be through correspondence and not through regular college.

Q: But you have already missed your 12th standard board exams this year?

Yes, my acting schedules did not give me enough time to study; I will surely do it in October, though.

Q: How did your parents react to this?

Since my parents knew that I always wanted to act right from childhood, they fully supported me. In fact, my mother has come down from Surat to be with me.

Q: You are playing the eldest of the three sisters, when actually you are the youngest of them all!

Yes, it's funny, but you know how television works. The three of us really jell well; we have loads of fun on the sets. We are like sisters only.

Q: What about real sister?

Yes, I have an elder sister, but because she is only a year older to me, there is no didi type relationship. In fact, we are more like pals. We discuss everything, including boy talk.

Q: How different are you from your character Baani in real life?

Baani is a very serious and responsible girl for whom her sisters are everything. I, on the other hand, am a very carefree, mastikhor kind of a girl. I am simply a happy-go-lucky teenager. Any way, I am not playing my age, maybe I will be like her [Baani] when I reach that age.

Q: As a teenager, can you relate to the kind of family dramas which are going on TV or for that matter you are part of?

No, as a teenager I do find it difficult to accept some of the stuff that they show, but then, I am not the director and that's not my call. So, I just do my work and go home.

Q: Is Kasamh Se like all other family soaps or a bit different?

It's different in the sense that it has a fresh look and feel. Each character has been etched with fineness and grace, which is why the audiences are identifying with it.

Q: When you first entered the field of glamour, were you not scared given the fact that there are talks about a lot of mischief around here?

Yes, I too had heard some of the stories you are referring to. But I still went ahead for, I believe that if you are on the right path, nothing wrong will happen to you.

Q: How do you cope with the fact that on the sets, you are the only teenager around?

On the contrary, it's good because then everybody tries to protect and help you around. I am very fortunate that my entire unit has been very good to me. It's real fun.

Q: Is Bollywood an option in the future?

Cannot say. Give me a break, I am just 17. Let me first find my feet in Tellywood and then time will decide for me.

Q: Would you be ready to expose, then?

No, never. I have not been raised that way and would never ever wear that kind of stuff.

Q: What do you do when you get a break from hectic shooting? Do you party away with friends?

Not really, I am not a party person. The only major party that I have attended so far was the show's launch party. When I do get a little free time (not much though), I love to catch up with my beauty sleep.

Q: And what about the love quotient! Your perfect man?

Kahaan yaar, I am so busy. Where is the time for romance

Kasamh Se Roshni

Geety Sahgal, Yari Road
Pic: Bbhupi

Who's that girl? It was the question on every viewer's mind ever since she made her appearance in the serial Kasamh Se. Petite and pretty, both boys and girls took an instant liking to her gamine charms. Meet Roshni Chopra or Pia, as everyone knows her now. "All this attention, it's unbelievable," smiles this new kid on the block. "Even little kids shout 'Pia' wherever I go."

But barely a year ago Roshni was like any other girl thinking of what life had in store for her. A graduate in Mass Communication from the University of Leeds, London, Roshni was working in a corporate house in Delhi when cricket commentator, Charu Sharma spotted her in a play. He promptly asked her to co-host the Pakistan-India series with him, which she did. And that was the beginning of a new innings for her. "After that, I must have got a million calls to anchor shows! And even though I had never imagined myself in front of the camera, I did not want to give up on the opportunity to do so. I packed my bags and landed in Mumbai!" she grins.

Roshni had barely settled down when she got a call from Ekta Kapoor's office. Ekta had seen her in a short film called Enjoy and wanted her to play the role of Pia in Kasamh Se. "I knew that every day hundreds of wannabes drop their pictures at her production house and here I was being offered a role without even a portfolio. I immediately said yes."

Roshni is not hesitant to add that she is very unlike her character Pia. While Pia is confused, unsure and always at a loss when it comes to taking decisions, Roshni is very sure of what she wants in life and extremely focused. "Initially I was a bit skeptical about the character. But then I realized that the challenge lies to play a personality opposite of what you are in real life. Today I love going on the set every morning and transforming myself into Pia."

The actress can be spotted on four shows on television - Kasamh Se, Cinemascope, and two seasonal sports shows. "Television is a really popular and big medium today. I prefer to do good stuff on TV rather than inane roles in films. But if something good comes along I would love to do films," she says.

A Yari road resident, Roshni loves the openness of the locality. A Delhite at heart, she also loves Punjabi cuisine and one can spot her eating garlic chicken at 'The Dhaba' at Oshiwara. Extremely busy with a tight work schedule, she feels that she is very fortunate to be where she is. "I have never got my portfolio clicked. But work just seemed to come along. I don't let go of opportunities, but accept the best that is offered… and here I am!"