'I am possesive..not obssesive'Rahil Azam

Do artistes identify with the characters they play? Obsessive lovers, submissive daughters-in-law and temperamental sons? Are our stars the same way in the real life? Or do they feel repulsed by the eccentricities they are forced to enact on the telly? Natasha Havewala explores.

The coy and ever sacrificing bahu , Kumkum, has converted Juhi Parmar into something similar! "Kumkum is too good to be believable. What I feel right about her is that she is someone who stands up for the truth, always. And this is something I have learnt to incorporate in my life too," dimples Juhi. But unlike Kumkum, I won't ever become the self-sacrificing bahu who will live in pain for the sake of her family! I have my own way to cope up with my life," asserts Juhi.

And what about the constant lachrymose image that she keeps up. "Oh, can't help that," says Juhi flatly. "But what I like is that although Kumkum keeps crying, she also dares not to be afraid and this is something I relate with."

And does the saintly Dhruv of Sinndoor - Tere Naam Ka, feel the same?
Laughs Sachin Shroff, "I am the complete antithesis of Dhruv. He will never raise his voice against anyone, is docile and nave. He is someone who never takes a stand because he doesn't want to hurt anyone, and in the bargain, suffers quietly. But I wouldn't do anything like this. I believe in finding the truth myself and stand for my decisions!"

So, isn't there anything he identifies with? "One characteristic I relate with Dhruv is love. I love my mother and my family just the way he does, otherwise I don't identify with his sensibilities," smiles the shy Sachin.

Family first. That's how Aashka Goradia feels too. Kumud of the long suffering Kkusum family, Aashka asserts, "For me, my family is my world and I would sacrifice anything for them and in that, completely identify with Kumud."
But that's where the similarity ends.

"At times, Kumud goes over the top with her crying. She has her tears ready for every little mishap in her life. I, on the other hand, make sure that no one has the guts to bring tears to my eyes," she says practically.

And what if obsessive love is the core of a character one plays. Is Raahil Azim comfortable playing the besotted Ashmit in Ye Meri Life Hai? "Currently, Ashmit is shown as an obsessive lover, which I am not in real life," he says smilingly. "I am possessive but not obsessive. There is a thin line between being obsessed and being possessive. Possessiveness shows that 'I care for you but you have your free will.' Obsession

on the other hand cages the other person and it could go to the extent of harming anyone else. I am possessive, but not obsessive like Ashmit!"