I was underused in Kkusum, says Kumud

Sony's long-playing drama Kkusum ends this month — and no one is complaining. Most of the show's actors have, or are in the process of moving to other shows. However, one cast member of this Balaji soap is a tad disillusioned.

Aashka Goradia, who played Kkusum's daughter, Kumud, feels she was completely underused by production house, Balaji.

She says she has mixed feelings – disappointment, that she was given a raw deal; and relief, now that Kkusum is finally ending, as she can move to another assignment.

Wanted to quit earlier

The actress, who was missing in action for a while, is back. "I was away in the US and Canada for a month, for Navratri shows. I was barely there in Kkusum anyway," she rues. "So, I decided to take off."

The track has her back now. But she had decided to walk out of Kkusum two months ago. "I met Shobha aunty and told her there was nothing for Kumud. I wanted to quit, but she told me to stay on."

Negative shades

The drama, at its fag end, has Kumud turning negative. "Kumud's ire is aimed at Kkusum. They will show me marrying again for the third time; I think to actor Nassir. But who cares now? Don't know if anyone even watches Kkusum," she laments.

What's upsetting Aashka is the fact that lately, she was totally lost in Kkusum. "I was perhaps the only actor in the show who did not take on any other projects. It was not that I did not get offers. But I wanted to be Kumud exclusively, to the fullest. I only did a cameo in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai.

Manasi fan

The actress says that in the last two years, she put in whatever she could for Kkusum. "I have shot for 72 hours at a stretch. But who cares? I believe in my work. I am not the partying, maska-maroing type.

The only person I am really friends with is Manasi Joshi Roy (the former Kkusum). I was a fan of hers. I had watched her in the serial Saaya, and then found myself working with her!"

Looking back at her Kkusum experience, Aashka says she has many happy memories of the show. Now, she is looking forward to moving on.

"As soon as the show ends, I will take a break, reinvent myself and be back. I am looking at films as well."

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Kumud calling

The character of Kumud entered Kkusum when the soap took an 18 year leap in December 2003. Daughter of Abhay and Kkusum, Kumud was a spitting image of her mother. The only thing that Kkusum regretted was not being able to give Kumud the love of her father.

wow she's kinda rude tfs!!