By: Shaheen Parkar
December 13, 2004
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Neena Gupta
Actress-turned-producer Neena Gupta makes a comeback on the small screen after a hiatus.
Those days of her relationships and extra-marital sagas, and as producer of soaps are over. She would prefer to stick to acting now.
Gupta's back in a role that appeals to her sensibilities.
She will star in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (Sony) as Nandini Sharma, a public relations consultant, who sets out to help Armaan (Apoorva Agnihotri) in his fashion business and ends up being Jassi's friend, philosopher and guide.
"It's a smart character and not those usual mother, wife roles," says Gupta, last seen in Sanjhi (Zee) over two years ago.
"I received a call from the producers Deeya and Tony Singh and began shooting within three days," she adds.
"I loved their earlier serial Banegi Apni Baat (Zee). Also, my father is a big Jassi fan; he even watches the repeats. That was one more reason for me to do Jassi," adds Gupta.
She will appear in the soap starting tomorrow. "Nandini cares for other people's problems and is always helping people overcome emotional traumas. She bonds with Jassi instantly," adds Gupta about her character.
Away from TV, Gupta had returned to theatre with her Sahaj troupe, staging Surendra Verma's Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se Surya Ki Pehli Kiran Tak and later, the comic caper Dikhti Khoob Hai based on French dramatist Moliere's The School for Wives.
Incidentally, Gupta staged Surya Ki Antim... at the International Theatre Festival held in Lahore recently. The play is about an impotent king whose queen seeks sexual fulfillment outside marriage.
"We had two shows there. I was initially wary of the reaction as it takes on a bold theme. But it was very well appreciated," she says.
shaheen@mid-day.com