Priyanka ‘ Naina’ Bassi Raises The Bar!

" AFTER LEFT RIGHT LEFT, IT'S BOLLYWOOD FOR ME"

" THIS IS SO UNTRUE (ON HER RUMOURED AFFAIR WITH RAJEEV KHANDELWAL). I COULD NEVER EVEN THINK LIKE THAT. RAJEEV IS A BRILLIANT CO-ACTOR AND I REALLY RESPECT HIM. THERE COULD NEVER BE ANYTHING OF THAT SORT BETWEEN US"

" BOMBAY TALKING WAS THE BEST LAUNCH I COULD HAVE ASKED FOR. AS FOR LEFT…IT'S IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE ALTOGETHER. AFTER THESE, I DON'T THINK I WANT TO DO A SAAS-BAHU SOAP. AT LEAST NOT AT THIS POINT"

" A LOT OF OFFERS HAVE ALREADY COME MY WAY. I WILL PICK AND CHOOSE; I REFUSE TO DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. THE ROLE SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME TO WANT TO LEAVE TELEVISION FOR FILMS. IT HAS TO BE NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR ME!"

ST: What is Priyanka's Connection to Karan Wahi?

PB: Karan was my schoolmate; he was one year junior to me. Besides the school being common, we lived pretty close to each other. We knew each other quite well. Our families are good friends, so that makes us family friends too.

ST: There was also news that both of them are a couple.

PB: I really don't know what to say to that. I don't want to talk about that actually. All I can say is we shared a very good friendship and even today are good friends. I suppose it's a part and parcel of the game. Whenever you are seen with somebody, people want to talk about you or link you immediately. It's better not to comment.

ST: A Delhi girl, you completed your schooling and then graduation in Commerce, while doing a diploma in theatre with Barry John. How acting came to be your profession?

PB: All through school, I was heavily into dramatics, debates and elocutions. I would bring home prizes for Best Actor, Best Dialogue Delivery etc. I even wanted to take part in the Miss India pageant and win the crown, but wasn't fortunate enough to have the requisite height. But it was my childhood dream; I always saw myself with the crown perched on my head, a sash and trophy in my hand.

ST: Is it true that a call from a big channel in Mumbai for a huge show gave you the opportunity to come to Mumbai and give acting a shot.

PB: It was a good offer but once I came here, it didn't materialise. I decided to wait instead, for the right role to come my way. That's when Bombay Talking happened, a show I was actually looking forward to. I still remember the day I signed the contract; I had so many butterflies in my stomach. I had been waiting for their call because they were too keen to cast me for that project. Her character, Sheena Mallik, will always be special to me. She was an aspiring actress just like I was; only more desperate. But it was a great experience, something I cherish.

ST: But why start off with an English soap, which would have a limited audience?

PB: I wanted to start off with something really different, not the usual stuff on television. And I think Bombay Talking was the best I could have asked for. It was absolutely pre-decided on my part, I didn't want to overexpose myself initially. Also, it was a tri-weekly; I knew that quality work would happen.

ST: She must have been disappointed when it didn't get an extension.

PB: Oh yes I was. Maybe it was the TRPs. We don't have too many viewers for shows like that. Plus we were competing with shows like Friends, Will & Grace, and Desperate Housewives. Season 2 may not have happened, but Bombay Talking will always be one of its kinds.

ST: Bombay Talking was followed by the biggie Left Right Left, where Priyanka has become quite a rage with her strong character, Naina Singh.

PB: I was quite hesitant to take it up. I wondered if I would be able to do justice to a character I couldn't relate to at all. She is a physically very strong and fit girl, which I'm really not. I'm so particular about getting marks on my body, or my skin and complexion. And the kind of stunts Naina has to perform is no small feat. I'm not deterred by hard work but physical hard work was something I wasn't prepared for. I took it up as a challenge and I love it now.

ST: So she's not the tomboyish type?

PB: Not at all. I'm very shy and quiet. I have to really push myself. It's a mind thing for me; I just think about the shot and go ahead with it. When I have to jump off a tree, I have no clue how I do it. I just close my eyes and jump. I'm the kind who even hates to go to the gym. Right since childhood, I've been very conscious about my body. I even hate the thought of scars. When I see the amount on suntan I have on my body because of all the exterior sequences, I just cringe. It's like a huge sacrifice for me.

ST: Suntan and scars are quite truly small sacrifices, especially when you get to perform with stars like Rajeev Khandelwal and Shveta Salve.

PB: It's great to work with them; they are both fabulous co-stars. You learn a lot from your seniors, who've been working since years. I've just started, so it's amazing interacting with them. Between shots, they guide me with my scenes. That's why I think the chemistry has been building up really fine.

ST: No attitude issues to handle? Especially considering Rajeev's temperamental nature?

PB: I think this is a very wrong statement or misconception that people have about Rajeev. He is a wonderful person and a remarkable co-actor. When Rajeev and I do our scenes, he is very particular about the kind of emotions we portray. We actually sit and discuss our dialogue delivery – it could be half an hour, ten or even five minutes. There's a lot of give and take. We definitely rehearse before going in for a shot. It's never mechanical.

ST: What does she have to say about the latest rumour linking Rajeev and her?

PB: What are you saying? When did this happen? This is so untrue. I could never even think like that. Rajeev is a brilliant co-actor and I really respect him. There could never be anything of that sort between us.

ST: But can the same be said about Vikas Manaktala, also part of Left Right Left?

PB: Vikas and I go back a long way. We're both from Delhi. Also, Vikas's sister happened to be from my school and I knew her. So we have that Delhi bonding happening. As far as the link-up is concerned, till date I haven't understood how they're created. Most of the time, it's just for publicity. Let people think what they want to. It doesn't matter.

ST: Does it not matter because she actually has a secret boyfriend kept under wraps back home in Delhi?

PB: No! That is so wrong. Aisa kuch bhi nahin hain. I'm not seeing anyone.

ST: Link-ups aside, the Left…set seems to be an amazing place to work in.

PB: It's a great atmosphere. We're a big team but most of us are pretty young. We have so much fun, half the time we don't even realize how time flies by. There's so much masti, so many pranks to play. Badminton, ludo, snakes and ladders, you can imagine how much we enjoy all day! When we're shooting our exterior sequences, we have the entire ground to go crazy. It feels so wonderful when mothers come up to me and say 'We want our daughters to be just like Naina.' Young girls tell me they love my strong and determined attitude in the show. It's the sweetest gesture from the audience, and gives me a great high to know that my character is so well-appreciated.

ST: It's truly encouraging to have a successful show behind you, but where does she go from here? Perhaps mainstream saas-bahu soaps?

PB: Well, right now I'm really happy with Left Right Left. My basic idea of choosing shows like Bombay Talking and Left…was to do something completely different. That's exactly the reason I waited for a year after my initial show didn't work out, for something good to come by. There were lots of offers I said no to. And I'm glad I did that because Bombay Talking was the best launch I could have asked for. As for Left…it's in a different league altogether. After these, I don't think I want to do a saas-bahu soap. At least not at this point. But the future is quite uncertain, you never know, I just might land up doing one.

I haven't started planning anything yet, because I hardly get the time with my shooting schedules. But I'm very seriously looking at doing movies. After Left Right Left, it's Bollywood for me. A lot of offers have already come my way. I will pick and choose; I refuse to do just about anything. The role should be good enough for me to want to leave television for films. It has to be nothing but the best for me!