Posted:
Shades of an actor
Chaya Unnikrishnan
Posted online: Friday, August 04, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
Smriti Irani is finally getting out of the Tulsi mode. The actress is all set to play a young protagonist Uma in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman co-produced by her and Ekta Kapoor. A weekend show, it is to be launched on STAR Plus from August 19. In her own words, the actress who has been chosen as Jury member for the EMMYS talks about her new avatar as a producer and other projects ... Reality show with Ekta Kapoor
I have called my serial Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman because it signifies two important things. Zameen stands for the roots that a person is tied to and Aasman signifies hope and freedom to live your dreams. Uma, the protagonist of the show, tries to find a balance between the two. She doesn't dream big nor does she have any huge expectations. All she craves for is a little space of her own. Uma belongs to a lower middle-class family where if the parents can afford to educate only one child, the son is given a preference. She's the kind who will work that extra shift and get jostled in the train just to support her family which is completely dependent on her because her father and brother have lost their jobs due to mill closure. She's the kind to go with the flow till something changes her...The serial has melodrama but with reasoning. I call it the reality show with a Ekta Kapoor twist. Production blues
Iwas in talks with STAR for producing another show when Shobha Kapoor suggested that I co-produce my first big venture with Balaji. There was no way I could refuse because she's the one who gave me my big break as Tulsi. Now Ekta Kapoor's lucky charm has become mine too. I have learnt a lot from the Kapoors. I have seen Shobhaji keep her cool and relax even in the most trying circumstances. From Ekta, I have studied the art of re-invention by keeping track of the audience feedback week after week. I know it is extremely hectic but it ensures that we get the numbers(TRPs).
I have single-handedly picked the technical crew which includes Vinay Maloo as the cameraman. The casting was mutually decided by Ekta and me. I have always wanted to work with tai (Usha Nadkarni). She and Achyut Poddar have done many serials together and they share a great chemistry. Jaya Bhattacharya, who played Payal the vamp in Kyunki..., is a good soul in my serial. Pawan Shankar plays my brother and Shweta, who had played Rekha's daughter in Khoon Bhari Maang, plays my younger sister.
As a producer, I am not the kind out fret and fume. I have complete faith in the team that I have assembled. Having already worked with Santram Varma who is directing the serial, I know that he is fast and efficient. Kamlesh Pandey is scripting it and since Ekta, he and I are on the same wavelength we reach a quick consensus on everything. Jackie as costar
I have heard about it only from the tabloids and I don't want to comment on it. Mein Tulsi tere angan ki
It seems like a lifetime. When I started doing the role I never ever thought the serial would be so popular and more importantly run for so many years. We are into the seventh year and it is still the No.1 show. As Tulsi, I think, I have had the opportunity to portray various facets of emotions. From an 18 year old girl who's just about to be married to the time when she is expecting her first child, her husband Mihir's death, his extra-marital affair with Mandira and the leap to the grand old age of 60, Tulsi has been through a fascinating journey. One is not predisposed to the emotions of a 60 year old at this age and so it's a challenge emoting them. One has to adapt to the changing phase and bring out the subtle nuances of the character. Here I should mention that the viewers too have been encouraging by accepting Tulsi as the protagonist even at 60. So many years and episodes later, viewers are still interested in knowing Tulsi aur Mihir kab milenge? Personally I am looking forward to the reunion between Tulsi and Baa.
Recently, when I was in Ahmedabad for my play Maniben.com, some women came upto me and complained about my look in Kyunki .... They asked why I was wearing long blouses and cotton sarees specially when Meera is all decked up in designer sarees. I reasoned that a woman who has left her husband and lacks economic support will hardly take an interest in her appearance. I believe in being realistic. If you recall, even as young Tulsi, I hardly wore heavy jewellery. That was because I am shown to be a poojari's daughter. Even when she marries into a rich household, she continues to sport a simple look because she is not mentally disposed to wearing ornaments. Moreover, I think ornaments help in beautifying the screen but are a distraction from the craft. I have a short attention span and want to concentrate completely on my acting without bothering about how I look. Grey streaks wanted
My first reaction when I was told about the first leap was I wanted grey streaks in my hair and some wrinkles on my face. Ekta was aghast. She wondered whether I had gone mad. "Everybody dyes their hair these days and Tulsi belongs to the upper class. She just cannot grey," she'd said firmly. But when the leap happened for a second time, I stood my ground and demanded to be greyed. Even today when I tell the make-up man to give me wrinkles, he threatens to quit! Do you know, I was the last person among the cast members to be told about the leap? Ekta knows that I am more interested in the story and will go with the flow. Special scenes
The scene in which Mihir dies was a turning point for me. I graduated from a TV star, to an actor. I stopped being considered as just another bahu and got acceptability as an actor. Ansh lying in the hospital
Pulling the plug of the life saving monitor that leads to Savita's death Confiding in Savita about Mihir's affair with Mandira Telly watch
I have never watched Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on television. The only time I made an exception was when I shot those landmark scenes. Usually I unwind with shows on Travel And Living and BBC Panorama. Filmi takes
In my initial years as Tulsi I got a lot of offers to play the nice bhabhi in films. But I was very busy then and now I am interested only if there is a substantial role and the director can do justice to my character. Theatre trials
Doing theatre was an experiment for me. I wanted to produce a show on television but needed some experience. I decided to try theatre first, where the budget and the crew is small as compared to TV. My first play Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein written by Prakash Kapadia had me in a role that was a complete contrast to Tulsi. I played a contemporary career woman who wore business suits. And unlike Tulsi I was completely rude to my saas. After that I produced Maniben.com where I got an opprotunity to do comedy. Maniben is this crude, humourless, illiterate woman with a low IQ. The director Imtiaz Patel himself had the jitters before the show went on board. We were apprehensive about how the audience would judge me as a comedianne. But the play has not only got rave reviews, it is a big hit too. Talk-show
Hosting Kuch Dil Se on SAB was the most fascinating chapter of my career. There was no script, no preparation, it was just me. The show was one of the biggest eye-openers in terms of how constructive media can be. I would definitely love to do another talk-show but on a much more grander scale. Judging talent
It's a big honour to be invited as a Jury member for the EMMYS. Earlier I was the first Indian TV actor to be on the jury at the Montecarlo TV Festival. It was a unique event for me. There was a exchange of story ideas and I explored the various international content. I realised that Italian TV is closest to us. But our culture, our story patterns are indigenous to us. Perfect politician
I am a permanent member of the Maharasthra State Executive of the BJP Wing and it's my third term in the National Executive. The party has given me important placements which belies the notion that stars are used only for campaigning. Right now, I am actively working on two issues that are close to my heart. One is the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the second is on the farmers' suicide. I also feel that terrorism in India has not been handled properly. Soon we will be holding an All-India meeting of Yuva Morcha where we will discuss these issues. Family matters
I make it a point to shoot close to my house so that I pack my children to school after breakfast. I come back home to have lunch with them and of course dinner is a family affair. Ever since I got married, Zubin is my best friend I have no problems with him except that he is more of a workaholic than me.
Chaya Unnikrishnan
Posted online: Friday, August 04, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
Smriti Irani is finally getting out of the Tulsi mode. The actress is all set to play a young protagonist Uma in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman co-produced by her and Ekta Kapoor. A weekend show, it is to be launched on STAR Plus from August 19. In her own words, the actress who has been chosen as Jury member for the EMMYS talks about her new avatar as a producer and other projects ... Reality show with Ekta Kapoor
I have called my serial Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman because it signifies two important things. Zameen stands for the roots that a person is tied to and Aasman signifies hope and freedom to live your dreams. Uma, the protagonist of the show, tries to find a balance between the two. She doesn't dream big nor does she have any huge expectations. All she craves for is a little space of her own. Uma belongs to a lower middle-class family where if the parents can afford to educate only one child, the son is given a preference. She's the kind who will work that extra shift and get jostled in the train just to support her family which is completely dependent on her because her father and brother have lost their jobs due to mill closure. She's the kind to go with the flow till something changes her...The serial has melodrama but with reasoning. I call it the reality show with a Ekta Kapoor twist. Production blues
Iwas in talks with STAR for producing another show when Shobha Kapoor suggested that I co-produce my first big venture with Balaji. There was no way I could refuse because she's the one who gave me my big break as Tulsi. Now Ekta Kapoor's lucky charm has become mine too. I have learnt a lot from the Kapoors. I have seen Shobhaji keep her cool and relax even in the most trying circumstances. From Ekta, I have studied the art of re-invention by keeping track of the audience feedback week after week. I know it is extremely hectic but it ensures that we get the numbers(TRPs).
I have single-handedly picked the technical crew which includes Vinay Maloo as the cameraman. The casting was mutually decided by Ekta and me. I have always wanted to work with tai (Usha Nadkarni). She and Achyut Poddar have done many serials together and they share a great chemistry. Jaya Bhattacharya, who played Payal the vamp in Kyunki..., is a good soul in my serial. Pawan Shankar plays my brother and Shweta, who had played Rekha's daughter in Khoon Bhari Maang, plays my younger sister.
As a producer, I am not the kind out fret and fume. I have complete faith in the team that I have assembled. Having already worked with Santram Varma who is directing the serial, I know that he is fast and efficient. Kamlesh Pandey is scripting it and since Ekta, he and I are on the same wavelength we reach a quick consensus on everything. Jackie as costar
I have heard about it only from the tabloids and I don't want to comment on it. Mein Tulsi tere angan ki
It seems like a lifetime. When I started doing the role I never ever thought the serial would be so popular and more importantly run for so many years. We are into the seventh year and it is still the No.1 show. As Tulsi, I think, I have had the opportunity to portray various facets of emotions. From an 18 year old girl who's just about to be married to the time when she is expecting her first child, her husband Mihir's death, his extra-marital affair with Mandira and the leap to the grand old age of 60, Tulsi has been through a fascinating journey. One is not predisposed to the emotions of a 60 year old at this age and so it's a challenge emoting them. One has to adapt to the changing phase and bring out the subtle nuances of the character. Here I should mention that the viewers too have been encouraging by accepting Tulsi as the protagonist even at 60. So many years and episodes later, viewers are still interested in knowing Tulsi aur Mihir kab milenge? Personally I am looking forward to the reunion between Tulsi and Baa.
| < = src="http://banners.expressindia.com/banner/screenfullstory.js"> < = src="http://banners.expressindia.com/adsnew/adjs.php?para=no&n=734452982&what=zone:443&target=_blank&exclude=," =text/> |
My first reaction when I was told about the first leap was I wanted grey streaks in my hair and some wrinkles on my face. Ekta was aghast. She wondered whether I had gone mad. "Everybody dyes their hair these days and Tulsi belongs to the upper class. She just cannot grey," she'd said firmly. But when the leap happened for a second time, I stood my ground and demanded to be greyed. Even today when I tell the make-up man to give me wrinkles, he threatens to quit! Do you know, I was the last person among the cast members to be told about the leap? Ekta knows that I am more interested in the story and will go with the flow. Special scenes
The scene in which Mihir dies was a turning point for me. I graduated from a TV star, to an actor. I stopped being considered as just another bahu and got acceptability as an actor. Ansh lying in the hospital
Pulling the plug of the life saving monitor that leads to Savita's death Confiding in Savita about Mihir's affair with Mandira Telly watch
I have never watched Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on television. The only time I made an exception was when I shot those landmark scenes. Usually I unwind with shows on Travel And Living and BBC Panorama. Filmi takes
In my initial years as Tulsi I got a lot of offers to play the nice bhabhi in films. But I was very busy then and now I am interested only if there is a substantial role and the director can do justice to my character. Theatre trials
Doing theatre was an experiment for me. I wanted to produce a show on television but needed some experience. I decided to try theatre first, where the budget and the crew is small as compared to TV. My first play Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein written by Prakash Kapadia had me in a role that was a complete contrast to Tulsi. I played a contemporary career woman who wore business suits. And unlike Tulsi I was completely rude to my saas. After that I produced Maniben.com where I got an opprotunity to do comedy. Maniben is this crude, humourless, illiterate woman with a low IQ. The director Imtiaz Patel himself had the jitters before the show went on board. We were apprehensive about how the audience would judge me as a comedianne. But the play has not only got rave reviews, it is a big hit too. Talk-show
Hosting Kuch Dil Se on SAB was the most fascinating chapter of my career. There was no script, no preparation, it was just me. The show was one of the biggest eye-openers in terms of how constructive media can be. I would definitely love to do another talk-show but on a much more grander scale. Judging talent
It's a big honour to be invited as a Jury member for the EMMYS. Earlier I was the first Indian TV actor to be on the jury at the Montecarlo TV Festival. It was a unique event for me. There was a exchange of story ideas and I explored the various international content. I realised that Italian TV is closest to us. But our culture, our story patterns are indigenous to us. Perfect politician
I am a permanent member of the Maharasthra State Executive of the BJP Wing and it's my third term in the National Executive. The party has given me important placements which belies the notion that stars are used only for campaigning. Right now, I am actively working on two issues that are close to my heart. One is the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the second is on the farmers' suicide. I also feel that terrorism in India has not been handled properly. Soon we will be holding an All-India meeting of Yuva Morcha where we will discuss these issues. Family matters
I make it a point to shoot close to my house so that I pack my children to school after breakfast. I come back home to have lunch with them and of course dinner is a family affair. Ever since I got married, Zubin is my best friend I have no problems with him except that he is more of a workaholic than me.
Current Affairs
Anupamaa
Hindi TV Shows
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
