I miss hanging out with pals: Prachi

doweshowbellyad=0;

Prachi Desai (TOI photo) More pics

But something like this happened to Prachi Desai when she appeared for her HSC exams a few months



Picture this: A 17-year-old girl is appearing for her HSC exams. She reaches her examination hall, finds her seat and starts revising her portion. Just then a teacher walks up to her and says 'Autograph please!' No, this isn't a scene from any TV serial or movie.

But something like this happened to Prachi Desai when she appeared for her HSC exams a few months ago. Yes, the much married, mother-of-two Bani of Kasamh Se, is actually just like any other teenager. And she is very much single at the moment. The teenager seems to be doing a brilliant job of handling her work and studies. Recalling her experience of taking her exams in Pune, where she lived till recently, she laughs,

For the first two days I was busy giving autographs, but it didn't bother me at all. I was happy to go back and meet my teachers. They were really nice to me. In fact I was in two minds whether to or not to appear for the exam, but my teachers gave me the confidence. They said that I should try and learn whatever I can and be confident. They helped me with all my doubts and questions. I am glad I gave the exams because I managed to clear it.

At an age when most girls are still deciding what career to choose, Prachi is busy handling her hectic shooting schedules and dance practice for the dance-reality show Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa. So, what does it feel like to be independent at such an early age?

It feels good. I won't say I feel proud, but I am very happy with whatever I have achieved, she says. Speaking about the beginning of her TV career, she says, I had participated in an acting workshop. There I got to know that Balaji was holding auditions for a serial. The people at the workshop told me to go for the audition to experience what a real audition is like. So, I went there and the next thing I know is that I am selected and asked to come to Mumbai. Prachi's mom always knew about her daughter's liking for the camera, but Prachi had to convince her father before she could don the grease paint. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Prachi may have got a great start, but she, like any teenager, feels the need to hangout with her friends. That's the thing I miss the most. Often I keep thinking what my friends would be doing at this point of time. I keep thinking whether they would be attending lectures or are in the canteen or are at the movies. I keep in touch with them constantly via smses, she says adding, But I am doing what I have always wanted to do. I don't for a minute regret the path that I have chosen. I just am thankful to God that I am doing well. I have managed to realise my dream.

And despite success at an early age, Prachi doesn't have any Bollywood dreams. I don't know what I'll be doing when I am 26. But yes, I would want to go to back to college and do some mass communication related course, she says.

But the actress has learnt that practical knowledge does have an edge over theory. That's the reason I don't feel that I am compromising in anyway. Being on the sets is something that's going to help me in the long run. I would love to be related to the media in one way or the other and being on the sets gives me the know-how of the industry. Also, being a psychology student I get to meet many people and get to understand them, she says.

But with popularity comes pressure too. How does she cope with fluctuating TRPs? Earlier I would get really hyper if the TRPs would fluctuate, but now I have learnt to deal with it. It does put immense pressure on one. But I have learnt to handle it. Also, too much popularity can go to one's head. My family makes sure that I stay grounded, she says. It seems like this teenager has grown up already. I do feel that I have grown-up early in life. But I don't grudge it, she signs off.