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" Acting is my passion" -Prachi Desai |
The most common image that comes in mind when you think of a 17-year-old girl is that of a babe studying in college and spending time with her friends. However, Prachi Desai who plays the lead role of 'Baani' in Zee TV's Kasamh Se, is totally opposite to that image. While girls of her age frequent malls and cafs, this Gujju chic is working long shifts non-stop to keep her viewers entertained...
Would you tell us something about your background?
I come from a close-knit family in Gujarat, which includes my folks and elder sister. I completed my schooling from there and later on, came to Pune for higher studies.
How did you land up in Mumbai?
I was studying in Pune and had almost finished my junior college. It so happened that one day I came to know about this audition Balaji was having for Kasamh Se. I casually walked in and auditioned. What followed was a call from the production house and I was here, in Mumbai after spending one and a half year in Pune.
So destiny played a major role in your success.?
Absolutely, it played a major role. Otherwise, like any other college student even today I would have been buried amidst books and trying to chalk out a better future by scoring well in exams.
What homework did you do for the role?
No homework really. I let my emotions just flow with the tide. I think this has to do with the fact that I have always wanted to be an actor. The telescreen has always my aim in life. So, I bring in a lot of passion to my profession. Acting is my passion. I do intend to at least complete my graduation though. It would not be in physiology (which I wanted to do earlier) as I would have to do some simpler course given the fact that it would be through correspondence..
Recently, the show was in news for the consummation scene between Bani and Mr Walia was shot. Were you uncomfortable enacting the scenes considering you are just seveteen?
I was very uncomfortable doing that scene. In fact, I had goose bumps all over my body. But then my co-workers and Ekta helped me to settle down. Besides the shooting was done aesthetically, however on screen it looked much bigger and detailed.
How does your family react to this? Did you watch the scene with your family?
They were very supportive. My mom doesn't interfere with my work and my father was receptive of the idea. The scene was needed in the script. Yes, we did watch it together. As we have seen such scenes even before I became an actor, so it was not something new for my family.
How's it working with Ekta - as she is supposed to be a tough cookie?
See people are entitled to their opinion. But with me she has been very co-operative, helpful and friendly. I have never felt that she is very harsh on the actors. The day when Kasamh se was to go on air, myself and Ekta had gone to the Siddhivinayak temple to seek blessings. At the temple I got to see the lighter and softer side of Ekta.
You are playing the eldest of the three sisters in Kasamh Se, when actually you are the 
youngest of them all!
Yes, it's funny, but you know how television works. The three of us really gel well; we have loads of fun on the sets. We are like sisters only.
You are already been compared to Smiriti Irani and being projected as the face of Zee?
I think that it is totally unfair to be compared to Smriti, who is an icon. I am not trying to sound very clichd and diplomatic. I am just one serial old. In fact, I have grown up seeing Smriti play the role of Tulsi. I have immense of respect for the position that she has acquired in the industry. .
How different are you from your character 'Baani'?
'Baani' is a very serious and responsible girl for whom her sisters are everything, I on the other hand, am a very care free girl. A happy-go-lucky teenager.
Are you keen on getting into films?
Right now Kasamh Se leaves me with no energy to think about anything else. Maybe once I am done with this show, I might think of films as my next option. But right now I am enjoying each and every moment of my success.
Balaji is known to alter names as per numerology. What about you?
I wouldn't mind going for it, after all who doesn't want luck to be on their side.
Don't you feel that admist all these you have lost your precious teen days which can be a lot of fun?
Definitely to a certain extent I do miss all the teen fun. But rather than brooding about what I have lost, I should be celebrating what I have achieved. According to me, today what I have is something which is hundred times bigger and better. In fact, I think I am really lucky that I could make it to this level so easily and that too with very little struggle.
How has your professional journey been this far?
It's been like a dream. The success is just sinking in. Though, at first I was finding it hard to fit into this environment but now I am going with the flow and have no complains about being here.
Anupamaa
