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Saas says goodbye
Apara Mehta of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi prepares for her final farewell from the show
She plays one of the lead roles in the country's Numero Uno show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Apara Mehta has been associated with the show from the time it first went on air. The show changed the destiny of Indian television… and of Madam Mehta as well. But, things are changing as her role on Kyunki… is nearing conclusion. We spoke to her about life after the soap… as her character gets bumped off by none other than Tulsi.
What was you first reaction when you learnt that your character, Savita, will eventually end?
Well, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't feel bad. It came like a big shock. I've been associated with the show for the last five years. I don't feel so bad about my character ending, as I do about the fact that I was not the first to be informed about it. I got to know about the entire development through the media.
What is your state of mind now?
I've come to terms with it. Look, I've been shooting 24/7 for Kyunki…. The character will end when it has to. It took me a while to understand that this is a big show and it is essential to add drama at regular intervals. I was fine with the character dying but I wish Balaji had informed me about it before they spoke to the press.
There also are rumours about your alleged showdown with good friend Smriti Irani. What do you have to say about that?
I am 13 years older than Smriti. I must've simply scolded her about something, which has been now been blown out of proportion. I guess these kind of baseless rumours start on the sets.
It's said that the Kyunki… team is an insecure bunch of actors…
I wouldn't know about others. But I'm not insecure. However, I know that if any of the actors feel insecure about Smriti's or my presence on the show, it's completely their problem. Personally, I feel that every actor has his or her character extremely well sketched. So, there is no point in them fretting or fuming over a role that never belonged to them in the first place. About myself, I can tell you that I'm an extremely positive and content person.
What are your plans after your character in the show winds up?
I knew that one day this would happen. That why I didn't quit doing theatre. It gives me immense satisfaction to perform on stage. It's my first love and will always remain so. I recently went to Las Vegas and that where I realised the popularity of a TV actor. A 7-year-old girl came and hugged me. She asked me if I was an actor. I asked her how she knew that, as she didn't look Indian. I was so surprised when she told me she was half Turkish and half black, and yet, she seemed to know about Kyunki… and my character. I can't even begin to explain how good I felt that day.
What about films?
I want to do films. But at 43 I'm clueless about where to begin. The ones I did - Devdas and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke - just feel into my laps; I didn't lobby for them.
Has Ekta Kapoor offered you another show?
Not yet!
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