Article--Bahu Raj--KUMKUM

After six years, have Juhi Parmar and Kumkum Wadhwa merged? Although I've been breathing Kumkum for the last six years, I've held on to Juhi who is poles apart. The only similarity we share is that like my screen role I too stand up for what I believe in. (Laughs) Not everyone likes me but I'd rather be transparent than double-faced. If you're so different from Kumkum, how can you play her convincingly for so long? I completely believe in what I'm doing. But away from the camera, I'm a young bubbly girl. So doesn't the young Juhi Parmar resent playing the years-older Kumkum? It's tough when co-stars who are your age or much older, call you maa. (Smiles) Instead of touching their cheek, you have to touch their head and give your blessings. The buzz is that you're so fed up that you were threatening to quit. In a bid to appease you, there will be a reincarnation track in which you will appear as a much younger character. What nonsense! If that were true I'd have made these threats when the soap went in for its second leap. A heart-to-heart dis- cussion resolves all issues. After playing the title role for six years,I desperately need a break. This track will rejuvenate me, I'll return as Kumkum refreshed. I'm told that this new character will be more glamorous too.. in keeping with your off- screen image? I hope so but Kumkum has become syn- onymous with saris and a large bindi. You can't wear a bindi with jeans, can you? Even the other characters I've played were very desi. Did you expect the show to go on for so long? Honestly, no. How long do you see it continuing? (Laughs) Hopefully another six years. Won't that be a drag? It does get monotonous but my character has been given new shades and there are new roles, like that of Chanda and the Haryanvi maid. I loved Chanda. My grandma felt as if the bachpan ki Juhi had come back. You're still single. How many proposals do you get in a day? (Laughs) I get one every now and then. Everyone wants a bahu like Kumkum. That's a tall order. Hopefully, the family I marry into will not be looking for Kumkum but will be happy with Juhi. Would you want a husband like Sumeet? I'd want him to stand by me, uncondition- ally, and keep the romance alive as we age. Aren't these soap bahus the modern-day Hunterwalis? (Laughs) Kumkum doesn't have a hunter but she knows how to put people straight. So does Juhi. Will you accept another soap? I'd like to try another genre. I'd even do a movie if the role is substantial. Other- wise no. I've already turned down so many. Aren't reality shows streaking ahead of the saas bahu sagas? Reality shows? I don't know how real they are. They are becoming popular but I don't see them replacing soaps which have their own viewership. The TRPs are still high. roshmila.bhattacharya@hindustantimes.com