Posted:
Goodbye Smriti, welcome Gautami!
By: Vickey Lalwani
April 26, 2007
Ekta hasn't told you that you will be playing Tulsi Virani?
No. She has just said it's a very powerful role.
Are you ready to play granny?
I don't want to limit myself. I have no problems about putting grey in my hair for a role.
Actors who have readily greyed have clicked more on television than those who have not.
Ronit Roy, for one. And yes, Smriti too. She is younger than me. And let's not forget my husband Ram Kapoor, aka Jai Walia in Kasamh Se.
Tulsi is perhaps the biggest character on Indian television…
I know. I myself can't see Kyunki without Tulsi. I don't think Kyunki can exist without Tulsi.
If I am playing Tulsi, there will be a lot of pressure on me. But what is life without challenges? I am not even expecting great feedback. I am ready for criticism.
Will you be paid as much as Smriti is getting?
I don't expect to be paid even half of what Smriti is getting. Smriti made this character huge and it would be unfair if I even think of her remuneration.
Tulsi's role will need you on the sets for very long hours and you have a 10-month old baby, Sia.
Yup. But I have a very good support system in my mother and mother-in-law.
I stay at Napean Sea Road, my mother-in-law lives in Kemps Corner and my mother is at Prabhadevi. Both are not far from where I am. Plus, I have a very good maid.
Did you discuss your decision with Ram?
Of course, and he has been very supportive. In fact, he's been saying that I should return to television with something substantial.
Kyunki is a very crowded show. Will you be able to get along with so many people?
I have never had problems with anybody on the sets. I don't see myself not getting along with someone.
Do you know Smriti personally?
Yes, I know her. Ram was doing a Balaji show called Kavita with her. That was when Kyunki had just begun and Smriti was not as big as she is today.
Are you going to call her before you start shooting?
I don't think there will be any bad blood between us if I play Tulsi. I am not taking away anybody's role.
It has just come to me. Why create an issue over this? Where is the need for me to call her up and say 'Oh, you are stepping down'?
By: Vickey Lalwani
April 26, 2007
Now, the buzz is that the venerable Tulsi Virani will have an accident, leaving her face badly mangled thus requiring plastic surgery. This is being done in order to make room for Gautami Kapoor, who will replace Smriti Z Irani in the show that made her a household name. Although no one from Balaji will admit to this shocking change on record, we have it from a very reliable source that Gautami, who has been on a sabbatical from acting for two years, will step into Smriti's shoes soon. Over then to the new Tulsi, who refuses to admit to the new role, but says it's a big opportunity. You've been chosen to play Tulsi's character… I still don't believe that Smriti Irani is quitting, but yes, I have been in talks with Ekta Kapoor. Ekta sent me a message saying she has a very good role for me and we decided to meet. But later, she left for Los Angeles. During that time, I got a call from Balaji saying they wanted me for a new character in Kyunki. I told them I would first meet with Ekta (pauses). Go on… By that time, news started filtering in that I was doing Tulsi's role in Kyunki. I had no clue! I met up with Ekta, and she simply said she had a character in mind for me but wanted to iron out some aspects about it first.
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No. She has just said it's a very powerful role.
Are you ready to play granny?
I don't want to limit myself. I have no problems about putting grey in my hair for a role.
Actors who have readily greyed have clicked more on television than those who have not.
Ronit Roy, for one. And yes, Smriti too. She is younger than me. And let's not forget my husband Ram Kapoor, aka Jai Walia in Kasamh Se.
Tulsi is perhaps the biggest character on Indian television…
I know. I myself can't see Kyunki without Tulsi. I don't think Kyunki can exist without Tulsi.
If I am playing Tulsi, there will be a lot of pressure on me. But what is life without challenges? I am not even expecting great feedback. I am ready for criticism.
Will you be paid as much as Smriti is getting?
I don't expect to be paid even half of what Smriti is getting. Smriti made this character huge and it would be unfair if I even think of her remuneration.
Tulsi's role will need you on the sets for very long hours and you have a 10-month old baby, Sia.
Yup. But I have a very good support system in my mother and mother-in-law.
I stay at Napean Sea Road, my mother-in-law lives in Kemps Corner and my mother is at Prabhadevi. Both are not far from where I am. Plus, I have a very good maid.
Did you discuss your decision with Ram?
Of course, and he has been very supportive. In fact, he's been saying that I should return to television with something substantial.
Kyunki is a very crowded show. Will you be able to get along with so many people?
I have never had problems with anybody on the sets. I don't see myself not getting along with someone.
Do you know Smriti personally?
Yes, I know her. Ram was doing a Balaji show called Kavita with her. That was when Kyunki had just begun and Smriti was not as big as she is today.
Are you going to call her before you start shooting?
I don't think there will be any bad blood between us if I play Tulsi. I am not taking away anybody's role.
It has just come to me. Why create an issue over this? Where is the need for me to call her up and say 'Oh, you are stepping down'?
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