| New Delhi-based Moni Roy is the new Krishna Tulsi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Post the generation leap, for the second time in this Balaji show on Star, Smriti Z Iraani becomes the Ba with Moni being a mirror image of Tulsi.
Producer Ekta Kapoor zeroed in on Moni, a fresher, after an audition throughout the country for this role. This youngster who turned up for the audition just for a lark tell us about herself… How did Kyunki happen?
I had gone with some friends jst on a lark for the audition. On May 7; I got a call from Balaji for the look test. They said that Ekta had finalised me for another show of her — Kasturi. I flew down to Mumbai on May 9 and went back the same evening. Later. I was told that I was doing Kyunki. Would you believe that I told Balaji that I wanted to do Kasturi and not Kyunki? Now of course, I have realised that what a big and nice role I have got. Are you still studying?
I have done my English Honours. I was doing my Masters in Mass Communication. I was staying in Delhi as a PG. My parents are in Cooch, Bihar. I wanted to do so many things in life — theatre, choreography, and puppetry. Acting was certainly one option, but I hadn't even dreamt that I would enter Balaji and get such an important role. Any parental objections to you shifting base?
There were a few apprehensions. Mumbai is a different city. Plus, I had settled down in Delhi very well. Are you anything like your character?
I am not exactly like Krishna Tulsi. Yes, I have my ethics and morals in place. But unlike Krishna Tulsi, I wear every kind of outfit in real life. I wear jeans, skirts, almost everything. I like going to a discotheque. I am a modern girl of 2006. How much of Kyunki had you seen before?
Not much. I saw bits and pieces of it when I used to visit my parents. How was shooting your first scene?
I shot my first scene with Smriti Iraani and she really put me at ease. Smriti is an awesome performer. I get goose flesh when I do scenes with her. I am not intimidated by senior actors, but I admit that I am very, very, nervous. Are you comfortable in front of the camera?
I am okay with the lines, but I find it difficult to smile in front of the camera. I am getting it now, though. Have you made friends on the Kyunki set?
I get along fabulously with the younger lot who entered the serial with me. Elders ke saath jyaada baat-cheet nahin hui hai. That free talk with them will happen with time. They give us lot of space and comfort, which is necessary to grow. Where do you stay?
I have put up in Meera Apartments (the same building as Surveen Chawla and Koena Mitra). Let's see. Nothing is pucca where I'll be staying tomorrow. It's early days yet. Are you single?
No. I have a boyfriend. He is in Delhi. He is not from the industry. I will not disclose his identity. Let my private life remain private | 
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
