In his daughter’s footsteps-Preeti[Vishak

In his daughter's footsteps...

Preeti Puri, aka Tanisha, helps her father realise his acting dreams

Sapana Patil Poojary

Preeti Puri, who plays a significant character in Zee Tv's Mamta is on a new high these days. She will be seen playing the lead in Kumar Sanu's forthcoming film Utthan. But Preeti is even more excited about the fact that, her father Ajeet Kumar Puri is acting in the film as well. "He will be there in the opening scene. My father had always wanted to be an actor. He worked with the CBI in Jammu but left the job to pursue acting in Mumbai. He kept on knocking the doors of several production houses — from Sagar Arts to Shakti Samanta, but he didn't get a break. We had a large family, and dad had to struggle in order to take care of us. So he set up transport business instead," recalls Preeti.

"Years later, when I wanted to take up acting he wouldn't permit to do so. But I convinced him. It was a blessing in disguise for both of us. Not only did I find my calling, but he also got an opportunity to realise his dreams," shares Preeti.

Ajeet Puri's acting debut happened with Kasauti Zindagii Kay about two years ago. Preeti says, "There was a requirement of an actor for a small role. I told the executive producer that my dad would do the role. When I told my dad that there was a small scene which he could do, he refused. But again I convinced him. He was so happy to have done that role! On the day of telecast, he called up our relatives all over India and told them to watch him on television. He was so happy to watch himself on the screen. I felt immensely satisfied to help him achieve his dreams."

That one stint with Kasauti… got him several roles in various serials like Kahiin To Hoga, K Street Pali Hill and Yes Boss. But his acting in Utthan was totally unplanned. "We were at the mahurat party of Utthan when producer Sanuda (Kumar Sanu) and director Ujwal Chatterjee saw my father and commented that he looks like an elder brother to me. They said he should act in their film even if it's a small role and there he is in the opening scene," smiles Preeti.

Ajeet Puri says, "It really feels nice. So long I had been accompanying my daughter to the sets and now I am acting in these serials too. I am really lucky that my daughter helped me realise my dream after twenty years. Surprisingly, Ajeet Puri wasn't nervous when he faced the camera for the first time. "I wanted to be my natural self," he says calmly.