So came accross this interview of Madalsa about Kavya. Some points I do agree. But there are some points which I do not agree, which I have highlighted in Red. And my opinion in blue and italics.
Anupamaa is your TV debut. Were you apprehensive about doing a negative role in your very first daily soap?
Yes, I was apprehensive but when the character of Kavya was narrated to me, I didn’t find it negative. In the conventional sense of daily soaps, Kavya may come across as a negative person but in reality, when you analyse her, she is the modern woman of today and by falling in love with a married man, she reacts according to the circumstances that she is in. You see her fight for her rights and take a stand for herself, I don’t find that negative at all. That’s the reason I feel people are appreciating Kavya and loving her rather. The response I get from my fans is positive and they find Kavya a strong independent woman.
I really wonder who would appreciate Kavya, didn't she literally threatened Vanraj to marry her, would a strong independent modern day woman do it?? Kavya has totally turned negative, taking a stand for herself and humiliating and insulting others are two different things. You can take stand for yourself without disrespecting others. It is not because of the stand that she takes, it is because of the way she puts her points by degrading others that she comes out as negative. Kinjal is a perfect example of this, she is in real sense modern day strong independent woman. I doubt any women would liked to called that they are like Kavya
In the past, you’ve done regional, Bollywood, a German film and a Punjabi film too before venturing into television. How has the transition been?
The transition from films to television has been a very big one since they are two different mediums altogether. When we shoot a two-hour film, it takes about 60-70 days minimum while in television, we shoot 20-25 minutes of footage every day which requires a lot of hard work and dedication on a daily basis and the results are beautiful as the audience gets to watch your performance every day and as an actor, you have the scope to perform and deliver so much. I’m truly enjoying television since I feel its reach is huge and the exposure one gets as an actor is beyond what I could imagine.
Strong antagonists add a unique flavour and without them, a show is incomplete...
There is no drama in any story without the antagonist. They are an important and strong part of the story and the plot because all the twists, turns and suspense that bind the audience or the viewership are majorly dependent on the antagonist.
Anupamaa has been ruling the TRP charts since its premiere. Do you think the audience still wants to see woman vs woman as they used to in the early 2000s?
Anupamaa has been ruling the TRP charts because it is entirely different from the plots and stories of the 2000s. Had it been Kavya in the early 2000s, she wouldn’t be so popular as today. The audience who is watching television now is young and progressive. Kavya also belongs to the current generation. She is someone whom we have encountered in our social life, in the office and in every class of society. This makes Kavya no lesser than other women. Sometimes I feel people like this character even more as they want to see strong women who are independent and can stand up for themselves.
I wonder if anyone would actually encounter a woman like Kavya who had no self respect left that despite of Vanraj literally directly and indirectly made clear that he doesn't want to marry her and knowing how an MCP he is, she still married her. And again how is this being a strong independent woman, she literally wants to have the house and told mera maayka nahi hai isliye mere saath aisa kar rahe hai.
Has any popular antagonist/ grey characters on TV or in films inspired you to play Kavya?
I haven’t studied any other character while playing Kavya. I got into the skin of the character by identifying it with today’s modern women where I felt it’s not as negative as some people might think of it. The times have changed, our superhero Mr Amitabh Bachchan is a product of grey shades that he has been playing in most of his successful films. Recently, Kangana Ranaut also played a few roles with grey shades which have been successful.
Identifying by today's modern women, in the start I agree she came out as modern women, but now, how she is modern I don't know, she didn't even stand up for Nandini just to please Baa and Vanraj.
Antagonists on Indian television are highly stereotyped. How do you make your character unique? Have you added some personal touch to Kavya?
Most of the antagonists on TV are mostly inspired by yesteryear films in which actresses like Shashikala and others played the 'so-called' vamps. With Kavya, it’s entirely different. It has a grey shade which quite natural and situational. We all have a grey side to us, which comes out when we don’t find things going our way or when we feel we don’t get something we deserve and have worked hard for. Talking about Kavya, the grey shade is highlighted because most of the times we keep hiding it to appear nice. Kavya isn’t afraid to show what she’s made of and isn’t afraid of standing alone if needed. I found this very natural while playing Kavya and I didn’t feel the need to get inspired by anyone else.
Sorry but is she trying to say she herself is like kavya so it comes naturally to her and she doesn't need anyone else for inspiration.
Mostly on Indian television, antagonists are women. Do you feel society still considers women as evil and hence female antagonist are more popular?
I don’t think any character becomes popular because it is evil or good. It is the character, the way it is written, the way people relate with it and the performance. I feel that’s the key to popularity. However, I feel the popularity comes when people start relating and identifying the character with general society. Also, it is because of the way it is portrayed on-screen by the writers, the director and the actor, it’s a combined effort.
Many are of the opinion that Vanraj is also a grey character like Kavya. But, just because she is the second woman, all the hate gets diverted towards her...
Of course, Vanraj is a grey character. He is the one who creates adverse situations for Kavya that makes her react the way she does. As I said earlier, Kavya has a grey side just like others. We all carry the emotions that Kavya does. Be it jealousy, anger, the frustration of being in a space where we don’t feel comfortable, this is in all of us. Kavya is a real character and that is why she is popular. The same goes for Vanraj. People are identifying with him too. Every modern society has a Vanraj but, the relationship that Kavya shares with him is generally not spoken about in public. They keep it hidden, people don’t want to talk about such relationships and even families choose to not disclose it. The reason is our society is still biased towards women and they give leverage to men. Abhi bhi society mein kaha jata hai ki ek aurat ne aadmi ka ghar tod diya, she is a home breaker, but woh yeh nahi kahenge ki ek aadmi ne do auraton ki zindagi barbaad ki. This is the problem of the society we live in. That’s the reason Kavya comes across as negative.
Not everything she does is result of Vanraj's doing, many are her own doings. How is Kavya a real character, atleast I have never seen anyone being obsessed to get married and after that obsessed to do everything just to make Anupamaa jealous. In today's episode she literally said ki"mujhe pata hai ki V ke liye vrat rakhna zaroori nahi, but main anupamaa ko jalane ka mauka kaise jaane du" She does everything now a days just to show off Anupamaa rather than for herself or V. I wanna know which people identify to Vanraj an egoistic and MCP he is, why would anyone like to identify themselves with Vanraj.
Infact only Kinjal is a real character in the show, she is perfect example of today's women.
The line in purple I totally agree with it, society only blames a women, for cheating part yes both are equally responsible. But other things she does like to humiliate others and thats why she comes across as negative and not just because of Vanraj.
Atleast I do not identify myself with Kavya, infact Kinjal is the best example of modern day strong independent woman. Who knows to respectfully keep her opinions and always have a practical approach and knows what is right and what is wrong.
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