| Coming Home! She is the star from tinseltown who made her name with her debut the super hit Betaab. Though she went on to act in over 50 Hindi movies, her personal life took priority and she gave it all up for her hubby and kids. Life was all set, she thought, as she watched her husband glow under the limelight and her children grow.
But then, life took an ugly turn. Hubby Saif bowed out of her life, leaving her to fend for herself and her kids. She is now back in the limelight, though not on the silver screen, but rather making waves in the teleserial Kkavyanjali. Let's tune in for the latest in the life of Amrita Singh. Why choose television over films?
Well, you very well know that during my long break from the movies, I wasn't doing anything but looking after my kids when suddenly I realised one day that I needed a job to support myself. The situation in my life was such that I had to do something to earn money, and thus I took up the serial after I got a good offer from Ekta and also because I liked the character very much. My character is very interesting and also complex with both negative and positive aspects to it. Had I to just wait for films to happen, it would've taken a long time and I could not afford the delay. Kkavyanjali happened at the right time and I took it up. Can you describe your role in the serial?
I play Nitya, a very modern woman of today, ahead of her family. She feels that she ought to be respected by her family for she does not do anything wrong that would spoil the family name. She is she the ideal woman who loves her family with a vengeance… but actually she is hiding a searing pain. The truth is that she hates her son Kavya. She thinks that he is the result of her dead husband's infidelity. She then teams up Anjali and masterminds a plan to drive Kavya insane. From this you can make out that she is an intelligent woman, she's a good mother, a good daughter and also a good daughter-in-law. She wants certain things in life and has her own reasons for wanting all of them. Is she anything like you in real life?
Yes. I like the character that Ekta created which revolves a little around my personality. I would also say that like Nitya, I am conservative, traditional and modern at the same time. Like her, I too am neither black nor white. I think even my appearance suits the character. How do you feel playing a negative role?
Taking up a negative role is no big deal really. To add a piece of negativity to my character would really make it real, so I am happy about the role. If I wasn't happy I would've never done it. Do you think Nitya is justified in hating her own son Kavya?
Nitya loved her husband very deeply, so naturally his infidelity has a deep effect on her. She is neither good nor bad. You must remember that there are different people in the world who act differently in different situations as and when they face them. How would you differentiate the number of working hours in the film world compared to television?
It's tough, really tough doing a TV serial. I have to put in long hours for my shoots. Cinema gives a person more time and space to finish a particular shot. Television is more demanding. As I said, we have to put in long hours for we are always racing to meet deadlines. And since our serial is a daily we have to complete an x amount of work within an x amount of time. That aside, it's the same thing as in the movies. The same "Lights, camera, action." Does this hectic life-style affect you a lot?
Well, it does to a certain extent, but more so it affects my children. But I can tell you that my children are intelligent and practical, and they know that mama has to work. Have they seen any change in you?
Well, they have. They've seen the serial very often and they now realize how mama has to go to work, put on make-up, lipstick and do her hair. My daughter Sara, who's about ten, has begun noticing me do all this. They also know the character I am playing and how it develops. For instance, I was once reading a story-book to my 4-year-old-son Ibrahim and telling him about mothers. When I asked him what he thought about me, he said, 'Always shooting mother'. (Laughs) Within this tight work schedule, how much time do you get to spend with your children?
Well, I work here twenty days and the rest I make sure I spend with my children. Do they know that you play a vamp in the serial and have they questioned you about it?
Yes. They know very well that I play a negative role. They have asked me about it and my only answer to them is I am an actor, so I can fit into films or serials of all genres and have to play the role the directors give me. Are you styling your own outfits for Kkvayanjali?
No, I am not. But I can say that they're great. Would you mind going grey with the serial now that it has just begun?
Well, I don't mind it for I like the serial very much. All actresses' one day or the other have to grow old. Have you received any movie offers?
I began my career with the movies and so I don't mind going back and doing them. Kkavyanjali takes up too much of my time to even think of doing anything else. I've got many offers for movies, but they are not the type of roles that I am looking out for. I'm looking out for some really mind-blowing roles and if they come my way I'll sign them. Until then, I'll wait. I'm not really desperate to take up films even though I may get ten days of free time on hand. What about other TV serials?
I will not do any more television serials. Are you in touch with Bollywood and have you seen any movies lately?
I am in touch with almost everybody and since Kkvayanjali has started, I have seen Veer Zahra and Black. Any favourite pastime?
Ever since my kids were born, there has been no other past time for me. My kids keep me very busy and I love being with them. What was the last film that you did?
I can't remember the last film, but I remember that I did Aasman Se Aage in 1991. It was a one-day shoot and that was it! Rumours say that you're being paid Rs. 10 lakhs a month to work in the serial. Please comment!
Ask Ekta. | 
Shiv Shakti
