TOI ka artical about Drashti Dhami

Chirpy, Dhrasti Dhami exudes great energy not just on the small screen, but insists she is the same in real life too. Dhrasti has a strong Gujarat connect and is proud of her roots. "I am a very proud Gujarati.

I have lots of relatives in Surat, but it's been quite some time since I have been there. I came to Ahmedabad as a child, but haven't visited the city for some time," she says.She's essaying the character of a film star in her ongoing new show, Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon. Drashti says that she enjoys playing the role of "Madhubala, a typical Mumbaikar. She's a shy girl with no ambition and only wants to live a simple life. The film set is her second home as her mother is a junior artist. Madhubala doesn't dream of being in the movies, stardom is forced on her."

That the show is based on the life of yesteryear's legendary actress Madhubala is something that Drashti dismisses as only rumours. "The speculations are completely baseless. The show is not at all based on Madhubala. Hindi cinema recently completed 100 years and this show is a tribute to it. It showcases the lives of actors," she says.

Drashti's sizzling screen chemistry with Gurmeet Choudhry in Geet Hui Sabse Parayi, fuelled rumours of the actress' alleged affair with her co-actor. Drashti does not see any reason to clear the air about her and Gurmeet. She says, "I give justification only when I feel it is required. I don't bother much about rumours," she says.

Prime time television shows seem to be on a revamp mode so far as content is concerned. Shows on different genres are being explored. "Audiences have matured and are more discerning. They are interested in watching different kind of films. They want to see new kind of television shows too. They are no longer interested in watching shows that talk about your everyday life," says Drashti.

Ask her about the kind of outdated themes some of the daily shows espouse these days and she is quick to reply, "I don't think TV shows are regressive, rather they are creating awareness. Like for instance if you consider Balika Vadhu, the focus is on the daughter-in-law and her rights, not the son. We need to have patience, and I am sure the content in shows will only get better. I feel shows are more informative," she says.

A whole lot of her telly counterparts like Barun Sobti, Karan Kundra, Kavi Shastri, Sushant Singh Rajput, Karan Singh Grover, Gurmeet Choudhry, Karan Tacker, Shilpa Anand, Mohit Sehgal, Kunal Verma, Sanaya Irani and Yami Gautam are making a splash in movies this year. Is taking the 'big step' easy for TV stars these days? "Well, Bollywood is opening up and it's good that filmmakers are now casting TV actors in leading roles in their projects. TV actors are aware of the technical details of acting, they have camera experience. So working in films becomes easier for them. Gone are days when audiences wouldn't like to spend on a movie that featured TV actors. Vidya Balan and Prachi Desai are perfect examples of how telly stars can also make it in films," says Drashti on a parting note.