On to newer pastures

Actors Manish Naggdev and Snehal Sahay talk about not being in Dulhann, the soap that gave them their break, reports Ismat Tahseen

Not many could have guessed that Zee's TV's popular serial Dulhann would have a 20-year leap. Yet, it did and has taken on a whole new look too. Also, main characters Chinu (Manish) and Shalu (Snehal) are not part of the show anymore.

Ask 22 year-old Snehal about the move and the first thing she says is, "It was fantastic as it was the first real break that I got." For someone who had done comedy shows Dulhann meant the first daily soap. The role of a girl who is a little silly, yet innocent too, had her portray some great comedy timing and won her the award of 'Best Actress in a Comic Role' in the Indian Telly Awards held last year.

"I am especially proud of that as I won against veterans like Ketaki Dave, Farida Jalal and Kavita Kaushik," she says.

Unfortunately for her, the tryst with Dulhann ended as the show took a 20-year leap, something that she was not willing to go further with. "You know I just turned 22 on February 22," she laughs, "So, I think I couldn't play a very convincing role of a 40-year old."

The young actor is however already into newer projects. One of them is Woh Rehne Wali Mehlon Ki, which has her play a parallel lead in the serial and a cameo in Ganesh Acgharya's Money Hai to Honey Hai.

But with all this she also misses working with her co-stars Sharad and Divyanka, Renuka Borde who plays her mother and co-star Manish. "He's a great friend," she adds.

Ask Manish Naggdev too, what he misses about the serial and he says, "The cast members; we all got along so well." The decision to leave he says, had to happen. "The new age leap was too much. I could not play that role as I feel I would not have justified it. How can you run and jump around and play a 40-year-old convincingly without a single strand of white hair? That's wrong. I don't like to cheat my audience," he states. Manish is happy that people recognise him as Chinu everywhere.

"I am glad I had the confidence to leave," he admits. "There were no hard feelings and Snehal and I had a good exit." The actor is at home now, relaxing and says he is waiting for the right offers to come his way. "I don't do any ordinary roles, it has to be special," he signs off.

http://movies.indiainfo.com/2008/03/06/0803060428_dulhann.ht ml