The big question

After long, Kumkum had accepted Sumeet as her husband but now Kumkum is faced with the biggest question in her life. In the next few days, Jatin will regain his memory and then Kumkum will find herself in Guriya's position. She is also pregnant with Sumit's child. What will she do?

Please share with us your insights about the latest twist in Kumkum, Ek Pyara Sa Bandan?
Kumkum has seen lots of ups and downs in her life, but this twist is the hardest she has ever faced, her past and future are in front of her, and both are equally dear to her. Jatin was someone who never made her cry, wheras Sumeet is someone she has been through a lot with, she has undergone a lot, so she feels for him. She has grown to love both, and now she is in a dilemma.

What is your take on what Kumkum, the charcter is going through?
She is so confused. I feel sad for her. Sumeet has been there when she most needed support, and Jatin, like I said never made her cry, but he happened to lose his memory. I am as confused as the the viewers are about her plight. We will know what will happen only when Jatin gets his memory back.

What is your opinion of the way Kumkum is portrayed?
As a character, Kumkum has gone through so much. She has no complaints as such about both Sumeet and Jatin, but she is confused right now.

Do you have any complaints of Kumkum being an afternoon show, do you think Kumkum deserves a prime time slot?
Initially, I had my doubts too, I thought it will be seen by only home-makers, but as the show became popular, many male viewers said they diligently watch the serial at work or during lunch. Many even said they come back home early to catch up with the repeat. So, I think the content is most important, if the story and portrayal is good then people will watch it no matter which time slot, the show is on.

Also, for us it is a challenge to be a dopahar show and have TRPs higher or equal ratinga as that of the prime time shows, and Kumkum has done that so many times, so we are proud of the fact, it gives us a bigger high, especially because the show is a dopahar show.

Does Juhi identify with Kumkum?
No, not really. There are almost no similarities between the two. I am a jovial person and Kumkum is always crying... I seldom cry, it is almost once in few years. But I have lots of respect for this character, she has gone through so much and I hope I don't have to go through any of that in my real life.

To tell you how different we are, I would say I can identify more with the character - Chanda, Kumkum's look alike, she is an out-going, out-spoken girl, than the homely woman, Kumkum.

One thing that is similar between the two of us, is the fact that both Kumkum and myself stick by the truth, whatever it is, I, like Kumkum insist on the truth and there are no otherways about that.

Since you don't identify with Kumkum, how is it to act out her role?
I am not myself when I play the role. I am the switch-on, switch-off kind of actors, I don't believe in spontaneous performance in Kumkum. With all that she has gone through, if I get into the role on a daily basis, I think I would be insane by now.

Why is Kumkum made to be so sad, when will she get to be happy?
I think it is real. In the sense that nobody is happy for ever. There is drama in everybody's lives and I think for the story to proceed it is important that the story has certain drama through which various kinds of viewers are touched upon. Nothing is stable, and the new turn of events keeps the viewers at the edge to come back and see what will happen, and to find out when Kumkum will be happy.

How will Summet's role be now that Jatin is back?
It will remain important, he is Jatin's brother… The story will be a love triangle between the three - Kumkum, Sumeet and Jatin. Sumeet is closer to Kumkum, and Jatin could be shattered when he regains his memory to realise that his wife and son are adored by Sumeet and they adore him.

Many shows are taking leap to go into the future, will Kumkum take such a step in the future, what do you think? I hope never… We have taken one step at a time, I hope it never ends and goes on for ever. I like to play Kumkum who is 50 when I am 50 years old, myself. I hope the story goes on like this, and let it move on as it is going.

Also, Kumkum is the only show that is presently in the same generation, which is good thing according to me.

How is to work with Hussain Kuwajerwala?
Great, amazing! We are great friends in real life, Hussain is actually my best friend! So the atmosphere at the sets is total fun, we keep getting at each other with pranks all through the day.

Also, now that Hussain is himself married, it puts a full stop to all the rumours about the two of us, it's untrue, and Hussain is still my best friend.

How has the viewer's response to Kumkum been?
Kumkum is so adorable, so many people come to me and compliment me to be the ideal woman, who is caring, loving and one who stands by her family no matter what.

Infact, a lady who lives in the US, came to visit the sets and said Kumkum is the only show she watches for the values it shows. She said Kumkum is like dream daughter-in-law, who is so difficult to find in real life. She hoped all new brides are like Kumkum and said she is perfect.

In another incident, a really old lady I met, is a regular viewer of Kumkum and she caught hold of my hand and started to weep. She said Kukum is perfect and has no flaws.

Messsage to your fans…
We work hard day in and day out to entertain you, so keep watching and be with Kumkum is the days to come.