Wicked Meera is only 25 years old

With things taking a U-turn in Kyunki's kahani as Tulsi returns home do you think this will shift the focus from Meera and overshadow her?
Well, I've reiterated time and again that I never thought my character would have been extended for so long. As you can see Meera was never meant to be the protagonist in the plot. It so happens that each character is given its due importance in phases. So, if the current track is highlighting me along with Tulsi and Mihir in the triangle, then obviously the three of us would grab greater footage than the rest of the cast.

Did you have any apprehensions about doing a negative role?
More than me, people had their doubts about my ability to portray a villain on screen. It was tough for them to associate me with a grey character because of my commercials. I appeared as a gentle and affectionate mother in them. Although the fear of getting typecast as a vamp naturally lingered on, I took it as a challenge to break the myth and show the world that I could be a cruel witch without a hitch. Also there was the age factor too. I'm just 25 years old. Imagine all the next-generation Virani teeny boppers calling me dadi on the sets!

From a plain Jane, upright lawyer to the wicked, conniving Meera Singhania, how did the transformation happen?
The entire concept was born out of Ekta's think tank. So, it's she who deserves the ultimate pat. She always wanted Meera to be hep and ravishing, that explains the loud, glossy look Meera flaunts these days. As an artiste I also took creative liberties to use lenses in my eyes, streak my hair and style my sari to add a distinctive flavour to the complete makeover.

Believe it or not, as a character, Meera has acquired some amusing compliments like "an angel-like villain", thanks to my soft-silky tones. I found it really interesting when Baa (Sudha Shivpuri), asked me to be more mature to get a grip on the role.

Despite the hectic schedules associated with a daily, you are tied up with a number of shows on TV. Tell us something about all your shows.
I won't say that there is a lot on my platter. But at present, I have only two-three projects in hand. In order to shed the grey mould in Kyunki..., I play a positive character in Sahara One's Kituu Sabb Jaantii Hai. Then on SAB's Ishq Ki Ghanti, I play a sweet bimbette who impersonates Tara Deshpande's character from a racy flick.

What's your off screen chemistry with all your onscreen pet peeves?
The bonding is brilliant on the sets. Initially, I was a bit confused regarding Meera's temperament and didn't know how to grasp the character's mood. But it was so kind of Smriti (Irani) who went out of her way to sit and talk to me about how to catch the right tone. The results are for you to judge on the screen. I am really fond of Reshmi Ghosh who plays Bhoomi and also get on really well with Suvarna Jha (Tripti) and Achnit Kaur (Mandira) too.

You are still single. Aren't you ready to mingle and settle down?
Every woman desires to tie the knot with her dream man and I'm no different. As of now, I've no marriage plans and neither am I dating anybody. I don't believe in the concept of Mr Right but yes, I have had a crush on Keanu Reeves since my good old school days