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Rupa Ganguly rose to fame as Draupadi from the television series Mahabharat. After this, the talented actress went off to Calcutta in search of meaty roles. Now after a long sabbatical, she will be seen in Anurag Basu's Love Story on Sab TV.

In a candid chat with tellychakkar.com, Rupa tells us all about her second innings on the small screen.

You rose to fame with B R Chopra's Mahabharat. Why did you leave television after that?
I was greedy and hungry for good work so I left tellywood . I was doing Bengali feature films with reputed filmmakers like Rituparno Ghosh and Gautam Ghosh. Though these films haven't really been seen by people here, but there's a section of society who has appreciated these films.

Or where there other reasons..
I am a very simple girl from a middle class background. Thodi si acting kar li (just did a bit of acting) and that was a big achievement for me. I could never wear skimpy clothes and do films here in Mumbai. This was the trend those days. There were no heroine oriented films .I did one film but somehow it didn't click though it did good business. Also, I would run away to Calcutta every second day. Also, I wanted to get married at the right age and have children. Now, I am happily married and have a ten year old son Aakash.

Why have you taken up Love Story now?
Well, Anurag Basu also happens to be a Bengali and he knows the kind of work I do. So, when he offered me this role, he told me I would be playing mother to Aakash in the serial. I jumped at the offer since I could identify so much with this character.

Tell us a bit about the role?
I play Ritu who's married to a very honest and upright policeman. Somehow, both cannot get along and decide to separate. The story reflects on how the umhappy marriage and separation affects their son Aakash, Later on, as he grows up, one see a drastic change in hi behavioural pattern. Ritu gets into another relationship with a friend but then she doesn't want to get too involved in it because of her son. Love Story is about relationships and the way Anurag has tackled it, the script runs like a film.All the episodes are connected and weaved in an interesting way.

You also signed on Kasturi?
Ya, Kasturi I play one of the bahus and who's a great pillar of strength for Kastrui.

What are your views on marriage and divorce?
I suppose in today's world, one is too busy with duniya dari, maintaining one's own lifestyle and building a career. It sometimes becomes very difficult for two people to live together.In the olden day, no one had any option but today we do have the option. Now for the last 18 years I am earning my own money and leading my own life. I think seperation and divorce are never a solution, as it leaves a bad influence on the child. But if the fights are getting too ugly for a couple then its better to part ways. But then remember there are no perfect people in this world. If two people are alike, there are problems and if they think differently even then there are problems.

You also signed on Kasturi?
Ya, Kasturi I play one of the bahus and who's a great pillar of strength for Kastrui.

These two serials in hand would take away most of your time?
Both the serials put together take away more than twenty days of shooting in a month. Now my son has grown up and he can take care of himself. And I am very happy to be here.

http://us.tellychakkar.com/y2k7/apr/27apr/interview_rupa.php

Kut and paste soaps

(Posted on 27 April 2007)

Barely a few days after shooting for Kasautii... Shubhangi gets a call from Balaji telling her she's the chosen one for their new serial Kasturi. The newcomer is on cloud 9, all set to take on the pressure of working in a daily. Here she spills the beans on her new role in a K serial, on future her plans and her reel and real life.

Q How does it feel to be the leading lady of a big Balaji show?

I'm so excited. I cannot believe it has happened. Though this is not my first TV venture — I'm playing the character called Palchin in Kasautii Zindagii Kay — this is my first lead role.

Q Tell us about yourself.

I'm originally from Indore, have done my MBA. I'm a trained Kathak dancer. But I have no formal training in acting and neither have I done any theatre.

Since I was a dancer, I got a few offers for modelling. One of my photographer friends told me there were auditions in Pune for Balaji. He advised me to give it a try. I gave the audition for Kasturi but I was given a role in Kasautii… instead. And a few days later I was told I have been selected to play the lead in Kasturi.

Q What's your character like in Kasturi?

Kasturi belongs to a middle class family. Her parents are everything for her. She is also an ambitious person in life but does not forget her traditions. The story revolves around her family and her dreams.

Q Any similarities between Shubhangi and Kasturi?

I also belong to a middle class family and am ambitious. I've three sisters and we are a close knit family. So there are a lot of similarities between Shubhangi and Kasturi.

Q Does this mean it'll be easier for you to play Kasturi?

I really do not know. I can only give it my best shot. Let us see what happens. Once I start shooting I'll have a better idea. Till then, I can only pray that all goes well.

Q Are you nervous?

I'm excited as well as nervous. Excited because I have got a lead role and nervous because it adds to my responsibilities.

Q What kind of roles do you think are your forte?

Well, I'd like to do different kinds of roles with different shades. Anyway, it is too early in my career to say what I'm capable of doing.

Q Are you prepared for the work pressure?

I know it's a great of responsibility playing a lead role. I also know there are going to be a lot of hectic schedules. But I think I'll handle it.

Q Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Five years is a long time. I don't know what's going to happen in the next five years. I haven't planned anything too. Right now I'm clueless. I'd rather take it as it comes.

www.deccan.com

In fact she did admit her heart almost missed a beat when her production team called to say the lead star in Kasturi has refused to shoot round-the-clock for the new serial because she had her exams coming up. Ekta who was on her way to Tirupati was in a dilemma as the promos were already being aired. Overnight she told the team to call another 50 applicants for auditions. She liked none, yet zeroed in one girl. But after a few episodes were shot Ekta felt the girl was too plump and couldn't carry off the role. So she cancelled the shoot once again.

The d-day for the serial to go on air was nearing and Ekta had no shoots! She looked everywhere but couldn't find a suitable girl to play Kasturi. She even requested the channel if she could postpone the show by a week. And like magic, suddenly things fell into place. While she looked all over the country for a suitable actress, the girl she finally zeroed in on is Shubangi Atre, who plays Palchin in Kasauti… Ekta wonders how Shubangi missed her eye earlier. "She has got the perfect looks for Kasturi," she said. But her woes didn't end there. Ekta is desperately looking for a suitable male lead. Rumour is Naman Shaw is almost finalised.

www.deccan.com

It's not a lead but yes I will be playing opposite Shubhangi. I just started shooting and it feels great.

In Kasamh Se, for a few months now I won't be seen. Presently my main track is in Kyunki... only, as Nakul. So Ekta told me to be a part of Kasturi.

My role here is that of a sweet, loving guy called Girish. I am engaged to Kasturi and then there are twists in the tale for which you will have to watch the serial.

Time management is not my headache. Most people in Balaji work in more than one serial and Balaji manages the time for them. I do not have to do anything. I always get roll-over time and come back to the sets 10 hours after I leave.

Pushkar (in Kasamh Se) in the beginning was like Naman. Nakul (in Kyunki...) is just not me. Girish (in Kasturi) is again like me. But it's just the beginning.

I'm happy with the simple, loving characters that I play on screen because basically I'm like that. I do not like aggression. Plus I'm being offered three major serials in Balaji which are doing well. What else can one ask for?

Lovely. As a newcomer I was treated very well and made to feel extremely comfortable.

In Balaji we are like one family and it is a separate world out here. I'm close to Joydeep, Prachi, Sahil, Ali Merchant and Neel.

Yes. It's my first TV venture. But don't worry, I will be back soon.

I always wanted to become an actor. I was a model and had even participated in the Grasim Mr India 2003 where I won the 'Best Smile' award. I was also one of the top 10 finalists in Zee Cinestar Ki Khoj. After the show got over, I started giving auditions. Kasamh Se was my first serial.

I haven't done theatre. I'm interested in films, but as of now I have received offers from B or C grade producers only. I'm not interested in doing those.

Even I keep asking myself the same question.

www.deccan.com