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Two months after she took over as Tulsi, is Gautami Kapoor glad with her choice of a comeback role? Roshni K Olivera finds out


Your portrayal of Tulsi is quite different from that of Smriti Irani's. Is it a conscious decision...

Not exactly a conscious decision. When I took on the role I'd said I will not ape anybody. I will take the character as it comes and as I see it. As a person, my body language and the way I talk is different from Smriti's. I have not tried to act like her at all. Besides, it's not like Smriti played Tulsi for two months, she did it for seven years. I can't copy anybody. I preferred to start on a clean slate.

Do you think you are getting accepted slowly?

When I took it up I was completely ready for the flak and criticism. I'm open to criticism even now. I have a lot of growing up to do. I'm overwhelmed with the positive feedback. My mother, who has been watching Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi for seven years now, loves what I'm doing. Ram saw an episode recently. He thought he'd just see a scene of mine, but he was amazed that he actually got hooked onto it.

When I go out a lot of people come up to me and say we really like you. They are honest to tell me that initially they were waiting to see how I'd act. The reactions I've received are humbling.

How nervous were you initially, considering it's a character that's been around for long?

When I took up the role I had no clue it would hit me like this. I may have answered atleast 100 calls the day it was announced. I remember telling Ram about it who was in Turkey at the time and he told me not to get bogged down by the pressure. He said just do your job and enjoy it. I have been doing just that. I'm enjoying my work after my long break.

Wouldn't you have liked to make a comeback to TV in a younger role?

Not really. This is a huge opportunity for me in my career. All my co-actors and even those younger than me are playing roles far older than their current age. If I was given a role exactly my age, where is the challenge and where is the fun? I've always looked for something different. Had I said a no to this role just for the grey strands, it would have been a wrong decision. The graph this role has and the amount of shades it has... I couldn't have asked for more for my comeback role.

But isn't there worry that you'd be offered similar older characters now...

That doesn't get me down. Who has seen the future? I'm happy the way things are shaping. This was so unplanned. I really don't know what's going to happen in the future. I completely trust my gut and my potential.

There was buzz that it was Ram who convinced Ekta Kapoor to give you the role?

That was the funniest and the most bizarre thing we heard. Why would Ram do something like that? I have my body of work to support me enough. Secondly why would a person like Ekta listen to somebody? She is very clear about her vision and her characters. Ram doesn't have the time to breathe. And you think he'd stoop low and lobby for me? But we both understand rumours of this kind are part and parcel of the industry. So we just laugh it off.

Have you met Smriti Irani?

I had met her years ago when she was working with Ram in Kavita. I have bumped into her at events.

What about talk that Smriti may be brought back in the show? What happens to you in that case?

If Smriti decides to come back, I am sure Ekta and Nivedita Basu will be gracious enough to tell me what's going on. They will give me a clean exit. I completely trust Ekta and I know she'll do whatever is in the best interest of the show.

Ram is considered a hottie on television today...

Wow... I love it! I'm very proud he's considered hot because he is hot. He is not only hot in the way he looks, but also in his attitude and temperament. All of it together make him so attractive.

How are the two of you as a couple? Are you very different from each other?

We are made for each other. I think you should also ask Ram about it! Both of us are extroverts, warm and friendly. Ram and I are not stuck-up. He is chilled out. I'm hyper, jumping from one place to the other, doing things fast. He's very organised, meticulous. I tend to forget, I'm a scatterbrain! But I'm very particular when it comes to our daughter.