Jaya Bhattacharya (Reema Sood)

"I'm bored playing a vamp. And I am really laid back to make an effort to change my image. I guess, I enjoy scaring people on TV (laughs). But I'm not accepting the Payal-type roles."

Major > Hi, aren't you bored with playing a vamp on TV?
Jaya Bhattacharya > Of course yes, I am extremely bored. But what to do? Nobody gives me any other role. Please write to the channels and ask them to give me some different roles!

Rohan > Which one do you prefer most - the big or the small screen?
Jaya Bhattacharya > No preferences as such. Wherever there is a good role, it is good enough me.

Reena_canada > Hi! Hope you are doing well! My question is, how do you feel about Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi moving forward again and will you still be a part of the show after the leap?
Jaya Bhattacharya > Yes, of course I am (right now). Thanks for asking. As for the leap, nobody has spoken to me about it yet. Hence, I don't know. When things are finalised you will get to know about it. As far as how I feel about the leap, it might be a challenge for a lot of people, including me, as far as acting skill is concerned.

Max_2005 > Hi Jaya! It was a nice performance from you as Paro's friend in (film) Devdas .
Jaya Bhattacharya > How sweet, thank you!

Lema > Why don't you try yourself to go for a change of image from negative to positive on screen? Are you too laid back to make that extra effort?
Jaya Bhattacharya > You are so right. I really am laid back. As for the change that will only come I suppose when I vanish from the screen and come back after a couple of years.

Soham > How much does reel life affect an actor's persona, when he/she continuously portrays the same kind of character, especially a negative one? Doesn't it take a toll on your mental health?
Jaya Bhattacharya > As long as you leave your character behind on the sets and pursue your real life the way you want to then it doesn't affect your mental health. It doesn't affect an actor's persona. And I enjoy scaring people on TV, as well as in real life hahaahaa!

Pujita > I think you would suit more in Tulsi's image, right?
Jaya Bhattacharya > Oh no, I don't want to.

Lili > Do you still do theatre and practice Kathak (classical Indian dance)? Do you get the time for it?
Jaya Bhattacharya > I do not do Kathak at all. I am doing one play since the last one year called Sabse Bada Rupeya with seven other artists from Kyunki Saas it self and have started another play just yesterday called Dil Chahta Hai . I make time for theatre.

Sanjana > Hey Jaya, what about the future roles that you will be playing?
Jaya Bhattacharya > Nothing yet in the pipeline, as I am not accepting the 'Payal' type roles. Let's see what the future holds.

Reena_canada > Are you interested in films?
Jaya Bhattacharya > I have done a couple of films. The ones that come my way, I choose and pick. That apart, I don't go after any kind of work..

Sanjana > You have been seen in different shades in Kyunkii as Payal. How is Jaya when compared with 'Payal'?
Jaya Bhattacharya > Payal, I think is a lot more of black and sometimes grey. Jaya is red-yellow. And that is Jaya is much more full of life, laid back and does not believe in harming people at all. It would be a waste of my time (being Payal).

Chaitu > You look so gorgeous! What's the secret of (your) glamour?
Jaya Bhattacharya > Why don't you get your eyes checked? Hahahahahahhah! Any way, thank you. I think my secret is that I am happy and live life to the fullest.

Payal > Jaya, isn't it difficult for an actor to make a place for himself, if he is especially not from Mumbai? How does one manage to get good work in the industry?
Jaya Bhattacharya > Yes, it is. You need a lot of courage and self respect and you have to be very hard working. You just have to go meet people and prove your self again and again and again. You need to be a good human being first because even if you are not a very good actor people will remember and repeat you in roles.

Renu > Is there a casting couch in this industry? Have you come across it? Do guys also face this exploitation?
Jaya Bhattacharya > There is suppose to be a casting couch in films, but on TV, I have not come across it. If girls can be exploited then boys too (these days) face the same. I myself have not come across the casting couch. In films a lot of exploitation depends on how desperate you are to get work.

Sanjana > We all know Jaya is a superb actor, a dancer and a person. But is there still something that Jaya hides from her fans?
Jaya Bhattacharya > No, I don't hide anything. Being out spoken is the bane of my life. At times it lands me in quite a soup. I can't help it. That's the way I am.

Quintin > If a girl does not give in to the sexual demands of men (producers or directors or even actors) then do they make life difficult for her here? How?
Jaya Bhattacharya > As far as I am concerned, having being approached for sexual demand and on refusing it, my role was cut short. But who cares? I am still here. All this depends on your perseverance, be it a girl or a boy.

Chaitu > Who is your favourrite actor in Bollywood and with who would you want to act? What's your dream role?
Jaya Bhattacharya > Aamir Khan is my favourite. And I would love to act with and him, even if I have to just stand in the shot as furniture. I would love to play Sean Penn's role in I am Sam .

Sanjana > Definitely, while walking on roads or going to markets, people would strike you and ask about Payal's negative role. So how do you feel? Do you feel good about your popularity or bad about Payal?
Jaya Bhattacharya > I feel very good about my popularity because I have certainly earned it the hard way. And I feel that I have done justice to the role. Otherwise, people would have not acknowledged me at all.

Minni > Why don't you want to be seen in Tulsi's image? Don't like playing positive characters?
Jaya Bhattacharya > No, that's not the point. The image of Tulsi is too positive. I like to play real life roles. Nobody can be as positive as Tulsi or as negative as Payal.

Crimsonhat > How do you manage busy schedules with your family life?
Jaya Bhattacharya > The people in my family stand by my commitments and give me full support. So I can go about my work.

Leela > When will you settle down -- meaning marriage and children? What are your views on marriage? Are you averse to the idea of marriage?
Jaya Bhattacharya > I have a boy friend since the last nine years. I don't want to get married because as it is we are committed to each other. I don't think I need to legalise my commitment.

Itschaituagain > Okay, do you like cricket Jaya?
Jaya Bhattacharya > I only like it when India and Pakistan are playing, and when India wins.

Minni > If nobody can be as negative as her, so you think Payal is not real?
Jaya Bhattacharya > Certainly, she is not.

Itschaituagain > How different are you in real life from your reel life?
Jaya Bhattacharya > I am totally different in real life. I am laid back, happy go lucky and I don't waste time on being vengeful.

Minni > My question is if you can play Payal then why can't you play Tulsi. They both are unreal.
Jaya Bhattacharya > At least I feel I have an extra effort to put in while playing Payal. Tulsi, according to me, is too easy to do.

Bhatty > From Lucknow to Bombay (Mumbai) —how did you manage to come to the city and make a name for yourself?
Jaya Bhattacharya > I was offered ( Bhappi Soni ) work in Mumbai. So I came here, got more work and stayed back . This is where I am right now.

Sign Off Message > If you have kind words to say, utter it now. If you have something to give, offer it now. If you can make someone glad or another less sad then do it now, do it now, do it now. Love, Jaya.