| Nach Baliye host and actress Sangeeta Ghosh, who plays Veera in Rabba Ishq Na Hove (Zee), has been signed by Ravi Chopra for his newly launched telly serial, Viraasat. Sangeeta plays the central character of Priyanka, and is paired opposite Ronit Roy, who is cast as her husband. Role mix-up
According to insiders, the actress intitally turned down the acting assignment from the Chopra camp.
"That's true," says Ghosh. "The role which was initially narrated to me was of some other character, which I did not wish to take up. Secondly, I was not too keen to do a daily serial, which would lead to hectic schedules, so I refused. That's when Ravi Chopra called me to his office and explained that it was a wrong role which his assistants had briefed me with.
When he explained the graph and scope of Priyanka's traditional, yet savvy character, I realised that this was a meaty, mind-blowing character that I just had to take up. The serial is being shot like a Bollywood movie," says the actress, who has just commenced shooting for it.
"It is a gripping family drama, which highlights that only love can conquer enmity," says Sangeeta. Amarr Upadhyay plays my brother, while Aman Verma is cast as my brother-in-law. And there are seasoned actors like Deepak Quazir and Kiran Kumar, as well as other artistes. Aroona's camp
Is it true that since she shares such a close bond with her mentor-director Aroona Irani (she has acted in four of Irani's projects), Sangeeta has been declining other acting assignments?
"Yes, I do have a fabulous rapport with Aroonaji, who has been my mentor. But I am open to outside productions, provided they are exciting enough. In fact, I had also done a serial, Sambhav Asambhav, with director Amar Butala," she clarifies.
Hostess with the mostest Didn't she want to participate in Nach Baliye, instead of hosting it? "Had I been married to a guy that dances well, maybe we would have qualified. I guess it's a mixed blessing, because the 'single' hostess doesn't get eliminated as the show progresses!
Besides, there is constant pressure of interacting with celebs; my colleague-couples start hating me when I announce their ouster," she complains. Any plans to enter Bollywood? "Let's hope my Nach Baliye performances catapult me on to the big screen," smiles the actress, crossing her fingers |
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