Roopa Ganguly's interview!Currently seen as Payal Bhabhi in Badho Bahu

How was your experience in the movie Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi?
I was cast when I was 16 in Delhi. I was always passionate about acting and wanted to do many films. So Chandan and Honey Trehan who were the casting directors approached me for the role in the movie. They described me the character. And I was like this character does not suit me at all. I come from Delhi, I can never do a Bihari character. But Chandan boosted my confidence. He said that I am perfect for the role. It was produced by Ekta Kapoor and Bejoy Nambiar. So I accepted the role. I practised the Bihari accent with some of my neighbours. And the two-three scenes which I shot I got appreciation from Ekta Ma'am and she was really happy with my acting. Even Bejoy sir appreciated my acting. So it was a big deal for me. I was really encouraged and of course, Ekta Ma'am gave me my first little break. It was a series for Sony Pal. Even after Kuku Mathur, I did one international film called Children of War. It was directed by Mritunjay Devrath. It was a wonderful film based on the birth of Bangladesh in 1971 and the horrendous events that happened around it. The socio-political scenario of that time was captured in the film. I am very grateful to Mritunjay and Saumya Devrath (producer) for making me a part of Children of War.

How was your experience in the film 'Children of War'?
> In this movie I had worked with Victor Banerjee, a very celebrated actor, Ridhi Sen, again a very lovely, young actor from Bengal. So it was a very nice experience. I was playing a Bengali Muslim girl who was pregnant at that time when they wanted to cross borders and then she loses her child. That was one of the most challenging scenes that I had ever done. So this was my second film. Even though the role was very short, I got very encouraging reviews from everyone. I wanted to do only cinema and move forward but when I reached Mumbai,I had found the dynamics to be very different. A certain kind of look is appreciated. But now also things are changing. We have wonderful examples that are very encouraging of actors. So I realised it is a journey. I wanted to do only cinema, but I needed work and again Ekta Ma'am came to my rescue. She cast me in the series 'Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai'. So I am thankful for that as well. It ran for a very short while on Sony Pal. Then, next in television came Warrior High and I want to thank Vikas Gupta for that. I consider him one of my mentors. I learn a lot from him.

Because of that, you got 'Badho Bahu'. How true is that?
I think because Vikas saw me on Kuku Mathur, he cast me. And then he introduced me to Dipti Kalwani Ma'am., my producer for 'Badho Bahu'.

What difference do you find in TV and films?
TV and films are a whole different world altogether. The grammar of both TV and films is different. Both the mediums have their own importance. Cinema, we shoot for a very short period of time. But on TV we have to shoot for the same character for months and years. Television gives us less time, it is more about the telecast. It is not so much about the brilliance of the story or the performance. Whereas Cinema is all about the story and all the technical aspects, it is about the storyline, the screenplay and the reach of audience.

What kind of film roles would you want to do?
I want to do some lovable characters which are a mixture of great story and acting through which I can enter the hearts of millions of people. I want to do feel good characters where I can bring about a smile on the face of the audience.

Who is your favourite Bollywood actor and actress? Why?
My favourite actress is Vidya Balan because she is a leading lady considering she broke into a very difficult territory. She broke all conventions and that is why she is my favourite.

What is your current track in 'Badho Bahu' and how much do you relate to it?
The current track is that I want to get my son Lattu admitted in Shirsha English M edium School and Payal really wants her child to be admitted in the English medium school. So she admits him to the school without asking anyone. I am thankful that I got to play Payal and that I am able to portray her well.

How do you unwind yourself?
I am a classical dancer. I have learnt Odissi. Riyaaz is the way I unwind myself. I look at Odissi videos of other senior dancers I follow and like. I like watching films and listening to my favourite music. I also like Bengali music, especially Rabindra Sangeet. I have grown up listening to it. And I am waiting for that special someone, a special partner and unwind with him too.