live chat transciprt of suhachadran-vasu

Transcript of LIVE CHAT with TV actress, Sudha Chandran at 12 noon on Tuesday, May 10 , 2005 in Mumbai

Sudha Chandran
TV actress


"My (Ramola Sikand) bindis are sold in London for 3 pounds each! Yet, more than being a reel-life heroine, I consider myself a real life heroine. And that's why I joined politics – to do something for the disabled in India. Would love to set a trend in politics too"


Mohan1 > Why did you choose (to join) BJP, which is a minority (political party) in Kerala?
Sudha Chandran > I chose BJP because I believe in the dynamism of the party. During their (BJP) five-year regime we were always told that India was a country of poor resources but I think during BJPs period this country was converted into a land of abundance.

Mika > Sudha, have you ever wanted to do a positive role besides the one in (TV serials) Devi and Tum Bin Jaon Kahan ?
Sudha Chandran > Firstly, I did not act in Devi at all. In Tum Bin Jahon Kahan I was doing a negative role. The positive role that I did was in Zameen Se Aasman Tak . I have come in from very positive emotional role to negative roles and I am also dying to get back. But I am enjoying the popularity that I am getting in negative roles.

Boomer > What kind of roles did you want to be in when you were new to the acting business? Are you doing any films in the future?
Sudha Chandran > When you are new you are a beggar and beggars can't be choosers. So the only criteria for me in picking up a role was a good solid character and a good banner and on a good channel. I am not doing any films as of now.

Juhi > Sudhaji Aap Itni Acchi Actress Hain, Lekin Aap Sirf Negative Roles Hi Kyun Karti Hain (you are a brilliant actress but why do you only portray negative roles)?
Sudha Chandran > Kyunki Jo Log Achhe Hote Hain, Unhe Negative Roles Karne Mein Mazza Ata Hai, Aur Logon Ko Dekhne Mein Aur Bhi Maza Ata Hain (because good people enjoy doing negative roles and the audiences enjoy watching them even more!)

Boomer > Did you ever have a nickname that everyone or someone used to tease you by in your childhood?
Sudha Chandran > I did have a nick name. I was never teased about it. I was very lovingly called by my parents as "Ammu." And now my husband calls me "Posthu", which means when I come home, I am so tired that I just slump and don't move.

Kshitij > Tell us something about your nature. Are you like (your character in Kaahiin Kissi Roz ) "Ramola Sikand" or...........?
Sudha Chandran > Not at all like Ramola. I am diametrically opposite to Ramola. I am emotional, highly sensitive, deeply rooted in my Indian culture, practical yet determined.

Shobha > What is your birth date?
Sudha Chandran > 21st of Sept; hardcore Virgo.

Sinki > What is the best part about acting in a TV serial?
Sudha Chandran > The instant public reaction which comes to me at midnight by either people applauding or criticizing.

Jai > How long you think can we see you on the small screen?
Sudha Chandran > As long as you want to see me.

Anita > Hi Sudha aunty, I have just passed class tenth (secondary school) and read about your struggle with destiny in one of our English chapters (in school). You are a real hero. But if you were an economics topper why were you determined to be an eminent dancer after your accident?
Sudha Chandran > I was always a dancer, even before the accident. After the accident I could have pursed my studies but with an artificial limb. But I wanted to rewrite my fate and destiny.

Kshitij > Your bindis are so fashionable. From where did the serial walas get that idea and do you like it?
Sudha Chandran > I would attribute my beautiful bindis to the free time I used to have between my scenes where with the help of my makeup man I would try out different ideas on my forehead, which started from one straight line to curves to cockroaches to snakes and than later all these became international brands. My bindis are sold in London for 3 pounds each!

Kshitij > What is your favorite past time when not on sets?
Sudha Chandran > I love to read a lot and right now I have just started my dance academy. I have already opened five branches so I am really busy with that.

Anita > Do you still continue to dance?
Sudha Chandran > Yes I do. And I am still doing a lot of public shows in and out of Mumbai.

Rekha > Last year, during the campaign for general elections, lots of actors joined politics. It was said that they were taking money for campaigning. What do you say to this?
Sudha Chandran > You can't just put in allegations without any proof. And actors who have joined politics are doing very well in their own respective careers. So I think people should appreciate that actors are also proud of the fact that they are Indian citizens and wish to contribute to the growth of the country.

Kshitij > How many kids do you have? Do you love kids and have a great time with them?
Sudha Chandran > I don't have kids and I am very extremely fond of kids. I do enjoy their company for a while but I hate cry babies.

Jena > Why did you join politics? Please don't mind but... Ek Actress Ka Politics Mein Kya Kaam (what is the use of an actress in politics)?
Sudha Chandran > More than being a reel life heroine I consider myself as a real life heroine. And I wanted to use this characteristic of mine to do something for the disabled people in the country. That is the reason I joined politics.

Monik > What would you like to do as a politician? And what has been your contribution, as a BJP worker till now?
Sudha Chandran > I would like to create a lot of awareness among the people of what the disabled and handicapped people can do so that India doesn't have just one example of Sudha Chandran, they (Indians) have many more who could fight back disability and make the country proud. My major contribution has been that I have been visiting a lot of disabled organizations, trying to rehabilitate them, make them aware of the potentialities they have within them and to utilise that in a very positive manner.

Bihari-1 > Acting and politics are strange bedfellows. Please comment.
Sudha Chandran > Quite true. True in the sense, both are interacting with the public at large in a big way. A successful actor and a successful politician is one who can convert (translate)his feelings and emotions into the minds of the general masses by her or his effective "performance."

Anjana > Hi sudhaji. I'm your very big fan. I love the way you dress, your hair style, your 'HAR ANDAZ" (every attitude) not to forget your very famous bindis! Please play a role of very good mother but in the lead.
Sudha Chandran > I would love to and I am waiting for the role to come my way. And thanks for being my fan and complimenting me on my looks!

Kshitij > You were not in limelight for many years. But suddenly how did you get the role of "Ramola"?
Sudha Chandran > The fact that I believed in my self made me stick around in the film industry despite the ups and downs in my profession. I knew my time would come and when it came it was with a big bang. Thanks to Ektaa Kapoor because I believe she has this tremendous sixth sense of judging the audience's pulse and picking up the right actor for the right role. Ektaa Kapoor had seene a serial of mine called Kaise Kahoon where I played a very down-market negative role. She was very impressed by my performance and gave me this very up market and classy role of "Ramola Sikand."

Rekha > In India what would you like to see changed (medically) for disabled persons and what sort of awareness is lacking among people?
Sudha Chandran > As far as medication is concerned the medical profession in our country is the best. Regarding awareness of the disabled I personally feel the society at large has to be rehabilitated. Once they are educated they will help the disabled to live a more normal life.

Meena > What did the tragedy (accident) teach you? What were your initial thoughts when you lost your right foot in the accident?
Sudha Chandran > My accident has made me a bolder and a determined person with the guts to face anything and everything and my initial thoughts when I lost my right limb was God where do I go from here, and how do I start my life again.

Anita > Just like you have set new trends in acting do you think you can set examples in politics too?
Sudha Chandran > Well, I think with your good wishes and my gutsy attitude, I would love to set a new trend in politics.

Gigli > When did the accident happen? Heard you won a massive compensation of Rs 56 lakhs and it happened when you were returning with parents after a pilgrimage? Were they hurt too? You have achieved so much in your life. From where do you derive so much mental strength? Secondly, what next now Sudha?
Sudha Chandran > The accident happened in 1981. Compensation was Rs 5.6 lakhs, which came to me after 16 years of judicial struggle, but better late than never. Yes, my parents were with me when the accident happened. We were returning from our annual pilgrimage from Trichy in South India and heading towards Chennai. Yes, they were hurt too. I derive my mental strength from the deity I visit every year - Lord Vayaloor Muragn (the place from where I was coming), the spot at which I met with the accident and also from my failures. I think, everyday we start life on a very new note, writing a new chapter. So, when I open the chapter, I feel life is too long and many more things to be done. There are a lot of challenges to be faced and a lot of battles to be won.

Sign off Message > Thank you for logging in and I had a wonderful time with you people and continue to love to hate me (my negative onscreen roles). Love, Sudha Chandran.