Posted:
This is an article about Baa's impeding Demise:-
Sudha Shivpuri, aka Ba, whose on-screen age remains a mystery to viewers tells Nicole Dastur that she enjoys her job
There are rumours that you will be leaving Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi?
(Laughs) I'm still not sure whether I'll be killed or not! But as long as they want me, I'll continue being 'Ba'.
But don't you feel that your character is being stretched a little too much?
Every family needs an elderly person to guide it through difficult times. And that's what I love about Ba; even though she's growing older, she still plays an active role in the Virani parivar's decisions. So, I don't think my character is unnecessarily being dragged on.
But do such situations (as shown in the serial) really exist in society today?
Acting is, after all, an art form. It can't always be realistic. It's the director's job to entertain the audience, and this is what the audience wants to see. But large, joint families like the Virani parivar do exist even today. And saas-bahu, badi aur choti bhabhi fights are not new to large families. Even brothers kill each other in real life, see the case of Pravin and Pramod Mahajan. On the other hand, there are also, so many plus points of living in a joint family.
You've done theatre, films and television. What gives you greater creative satisfaction?
Each had its own time. I learnt to grow as an actor with each character I played. One has to choose roles that suit one's age also. I'm 68 now, I can't possibly play a 16-year-old! But if given an opportunity, I'd love to go back to theatre.
How do you manage the demands of the job at your age?
I believe if you truly enjoy what you're doing, you don't consider it 'demanding'. I love acting, and it keeps me occupied through the day. It's fun being on the sets, now that my own children have grown up and have their own lives, it's good timepass to be part of the Virani family (laughs).
What are your views on the younger generation of television actors?
One thing I've noticed among most of the newer actors is that they are always in a hurry to complete a scene. But I guess that's because they have too much on their platter. That element of dedication is missing.
With the younger crop playing elderly roles in television these days, are there still roles for elderly people?
That's the biggest minus point. If a 30-year-old plays a grandmother, where will people like me go? We'll just have to play great, great grandmothers!
Which has been your most memorable shot?
The one in Kyunki... where I'm crying in front of my late husband's picture while remembering him. It felt so personal, just as though I was remembering my own husband. I didn't have to use glycerin, the tears came naturally to me.
How does it feel to be more popular than your daughter, Ritu?
I don't think I'm more popular, my character Ba is! But Ritu has other concerns in life, acting is not her priority. And she's still known as the Lal dupatte wali girl!
(Laughs) I'm still not sure whether I'll be killed or not! But as long as they want me, I'll continue being 'Ba'.
But don't you feel that your character is being stretched a little too much?
Every family needs an elderly person to guide it through difficult times. And that's what I love about Ba; even though she's growing older, she still plays an active role in the Virani parivar's decisions. So, I don't think my character is unnecessarily being dragged on.
But do such situations (as shown in the serial) really exist in society today?
Acting is, after all, an art form. It can't always be realistic. It's the director's job to entertain the audience, and this is what the audience wants to see. But large, joint families like the Virani parivar do exist even today. And saas-bahu, badi aur choti bhabhi fights are not new to large families. Even brothers kill each other in real life, see the case of Pravin and Pramod Mahajan. On the other hand, there are also, so many plus points of living in a joint family.
You've done theatre, films and television. What gives you greater creative satisfaction?
Each had its own time. I learnt to grow as an actor with each character I played. One has to choose roles that suit one's age also. I'm 68 now, I can't possibly play a 16-year-old! But if given an opportunity, I'd love to go back to theatre.
How do you manage the demands of the job at your age?
I believe if you truly enjoy what you're doing, you don't consider it 'demanding'. I love acting, and it keeps me occupied through the day. It's fun being on the sets, now that my own children have grown up and have their own lives, it's good timepass to be part of the Virani family (laughs).
What are your views on the younger generation of television actors?
One thing I've noticed among most of the newer actors is that they are always in a hurry to complete a scene. But I guess that's because they have too much on their platter. That element of dedication is missing.
With the younger crop playing elderly roles in television these days, are there still roles for elderly people?
That's the biggest minus point. If a 30-year-old plays a grandmother, where will people like me go? We'll just have to play great, great grandmothers!
Which has been your most memorable shot?
The one in Kyunki... where I'm crying in front of my late husband's picture while remembering him. It felt so personal, just as though I was remembering my own husband. I didn't have to use glycerin, the tears came naturally to me.
How does it feel to be more popular than your daughter, Ritu?
I don't think I'm more popular, my character Ba is! But Ritu has other concerns in life, acting is not her priority. And she's still known as the Lal dupatte wali girl!
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