Films are like short flings’

Samiksha plays the lead role in Zaara — Pyar Ki Saugat. She is perhaps one of the very few upcoming stars who refused a Balaji offer because she felt the contract was too rigid. Apart from not allowing you to act for any other production, Balaji has awfully long shifts and no offs. "It turned me off," says Samiksha.

Excerpts from an interview:

Q Is it true you developed cold feet on reading Balaji's contract for Kasamh Se?
It was the first ever contract I had read. I started my career in films where I never had to sign a contract. But television is different and when I read the contract I found it too strict. The shifts were too long and there were no offs. It turned me off. It was not just Balaji but I also refused offers from other production companies. I was offered Dulhan but I turned it down because it was not the lead role.

Q So what made you do Zaara – Pyar ki Saugat? Surely they too would have asked you to sign a contract?
When the offers came for Kasamh Se and Dulhan I was not too keen on doing serials because then I was doing very well in Tamil films. My film Arindum Arayamalam was a big hit and I was getting plenty of offers for films in Chennai. But then films are always dicey. There is no security. Television is more secure. I have signed a contract for Zaara and like all serial contracts it is no different but here I am playing the lead role. Besides, Edit II (the production company), is more organised. We pack up at 9 pm.

Q How do you like your role in Zaara?
Zaara is a Muslim family drama of love, relationships, scheming and plotting. I am playing Zaara. She was in love with Samar but had to marry her brother-in-law Aamir because her sister Zeenat could not conceive. Now both Zaara and Zeenat are pregnant. But there is a new twist in the story with the entry of two new characters who claim to be Aamir's close relatives from Lucknow.

Q Which medium do you prefer working for, films or TV?
Work-wise both are completely different. Days are longer in TV and the pace is hectic. Films are easy and more fun. In serials commitment is long but films get done in three-four months. Films are more like short flings or affairs whereas television is like marriage. You have to live with it for a longer time.

Q Which medium is satisfying?
Films are more satisfying because a film is a complete entertainment package with emotional, romantic and light scenes besides songs and dances. Serials have more of tears and heavy emotions. In fact, I am so involved in my role that some times some of the disturbing scenes trouble me in my dreams. In serials you get to learn a lot about life and relationships. It teaches you to live a balanced life.

Q You are a graduate in electronics engineering. Why did you opt for acting?
After my degree I was teaching computers and was earning Rs. 10,000 a month. modelling happened then and I started earning the same amount in a day for print campaigns. Then I did a few commercials like Monte Carlo and Kit-Kat. A Telugu film director happened to see me in a Kit-Kat poster. He traced my number and I appeared for a screen test. I passed the test and did One Four Three which was a love story set against the Naxal background. After that there was no looking back.

Q You must be getting film offers from south?
Yes, offers do come. But right now I am committed to Zaara and can't take up a film. However, having done five films there I have kept open the option of doing guest appearances. In fact, last week I was in Chennai to do a song for a film. I want to keep all my options open right now.