Audience couldn’t digest the topic.......

From Mehendi Tere Naam Ki to Vaidehi, Aruna Irani has come a long way. Vaidehi might have ended pre-maturely and her next serial Doli Saja Ke on Sahara, which was supposed to go on air in 2006, might be still waiting to see the light of the day, but the feisty lady is far from disheartened.

Excerpts from an interview:

Q When is your new serial Doli Saja Ke going on air? Wasn't it slated for a December premier?
It should go on air either by February end or early March. It's not in our hands to decide when the show will start. The channel (Sahara) wanted around one-and-a-half month's time for the promotion of Ghar Ek Sapna, which was lined up before my show. Since this is done for every show, I agreed. Even my show will require the same time period for promotion. After all, ultimately, it is me who will benefit.

Q What is Doli Saja Ke all about?
Isn't it too early to reveal that? You will find emotions, love, romance and drama as you have seen in my previous shows.

Q Have you chosen the name of this serial from your earlier film Doli Saja Ke Rakhna?
Actually, the shows' name is Babul Ki Bitiya Chali… Doli Saja Ke. It goes with the storyline of the serial and has no similarity to any of my films. Or for that reason, any of my previous serials either.

Q What was your experience doing a bold subject like Vaidehi?
Very nice but I think people are not yet ready for that kind of a show. Though we didn't talk about sex, we have to accept that the TV audiences are still very orthodox. I have also learnt that they couldn't digest the topic of male impotency.

Q Were you unhappy with Sony's response?
Not at all. I have no complaints against the channel. On the contrary they made it a daily show. But yes, the late night timing of 11.00 pm was wrong. One should understand that it's bedtime and the audience prefers light entertainment. Not rona dhona stuff.

Q Your favourite Sangeeta Ghosh was not there in Vaidehi and also in Doli...? What happened between the two of you?
We still share a strong bond. She is a thorough professional and a great human being. After seeing her in one of my serials, Yashji (Chopra) called me and praised her.

You are definitely going to see her in one of my upcoming serials.

Q Your serial Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand was a big hit, but none of your other serials have repeated that success?

Just like Sholay and Mother India cannot be made every time; the same applies to my shows too. But from my side I put 100 per cent effort in all my shows to recreate that kind of a magic.

Q How do you manage acting in Kahani Ghar Ghar Kii and production?

There is nothing to manage as I have to give only seven days in month to that show. You are also going to see me in Doli Saja Ke... but only after three-four months. It will be a different kind of an entry.

Q Considering that your husband Kuku Kohli is a director and you are a producer, are there any plans for films?

Definitely. If the chance comes, yes. At present I want to be only with my TV audiences. I can't predict the future but this doesn't mean that I am not open to doing films. Who knows, I may start doing theatre suddenly.