Jaya Bhattacharya intrview

Jaya Bhattacharya, better known as Payal of 'Kyunki...' on Star Plus, needs no introduction. She has made her presence felt in shows such as 'Zameen Aasman', 'Kahani Hi Jeevan Hai', 'Kammal', 'Kaise Kahoon', 'Koshish- Ek Aasha', 'Smriti' and 'Virasat', to name a few. She plays Kunti in 'Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabharat Ki'.

Jaya gets candid about her role and more in a tte--tte with us.

She starts off with a question, "Well, what I can say about Kunti's character? She is such a well-known character. Anyways, I can just say that Kunti is a flawless, strong woman. I feel very happy to have taken it up.

Why a mythology role for the popular vamp of TV? "Mythology is different and strong in its own way. I have already built my own reputation on television and I have done a lot of characters. I was tired of the tried and tested methods; I felt bored and frustrated and so thought of taking up something fresh.

She goes on and compares the new epic serial with the earlier 'Mahabharat', "The earlier version was completely of a different class. It was done superbly and had no competition. Things are different today and we are in a different time and obviously the audience too is different. Everything has to be done in tune with the taste of the audience of the day including the language, which has to simpler.

About 'Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabharat Ki', she says, "It is sad that people have a negative feel for it. My question is, without watching it, how one could conclude whether a show is good or not. I personally am not like that and would not talk without knowing."

About Ekta Kapoor, "She has worked really hard to make this a big success. And nobody can deny that Balaji has given a lot of work to a lot of people".

On how she grabbed the role: "Mahabharat has a herd of males and there are hardly any roles for females. People know the way I way work and my potential. The role of Kunti was offered to me and I took it up. And if you ask me what made me take it up, the answer is simple. Firstly, I am quite familiar and comfortable with Balaji. Secondly, for the simple reason, Kunti is a simple woman. She is always in white and wears the least amount of jewellery. I could quickly get ready for the shots and it is fun at least for the fact that I don't need to walk around with loads of jewellery for this mytho. I am the happiest and feel lucky to have got to play such a role.

Preparations for her role: "Nothing at all. I was told about my role a day before I started shooting for it. I have read and seen some 'Mahabharat' when I was a kid. I just get into the character, feel it and emote accordingly.

The kind of roles that she likes doing: "I know that I am a good and versatile actor. I have had different things coming my way and at a certain point, I got stagnant and was jobless which really didn't matter to me. I don't have the need to prove my potential. I hardly even watch my shows on television and if I do, it is only a few episodes to understand where I stand. I like to take up roles that are challenging, but if a particular character appeals to me, nothing else matters.

About the difference between small screen and the big screen: "It is not about the choice

I don't know what I would have been if I had not been an actor and I am least bothered about it. Life took its own turn and I landed up here. It was not my choice and it has never mattered to me as to what and where I should be. I personally like doing theatre. I somehow can't ask for roles but they come my way for which I have given my best and got famous. My character is what matters to me and whatever it is, I like to be grounded.

About the daily soaps and reality shows: "I prefer daily soaps; reality shows are not my cup of tea. Reality shows are nice to look at but I don't prefer taking part in it. In such shows, one has to give up his/her principles and I cannot be a cut-throat. And I personally don't need it and am not the kind of person who seeks publicity to become famous. I don't like the bitchiness in these shows and if I were to be a part of such shows, I would rather give my best and leave the rest.

She concludes speaking about her upcoming projects, "Apart from the mytho, I am doing a couple of films, namely, 'Kalpa Vruksh', 'Chal Chale', which will be released next year