I stopped reading newspapers... :Parul Chauhan

It's been two and a half years since Rajan Shahi launched an 'ordinary' face in Bidaai. Parul Chauhan, by all standards, was a girl-next-door with unconventional looks. However, success came calling and today, Parul is one of the most sought-after names in the Indian television industry and her character Ragini, one of the most popular television roles. She is now all set to make her foray into Bollywood and has apparently signed a film as well.

Parul spoke to TellyChakkar on Bidaai, her success story and her entry into Bollywood.

It's been a long time you have been playing Ragini, does it feel monotonous to cry in almost every scene?
(Smiles and shrugs) No way! Two and a half years is not a long period, especially for a character like Ragini. She has a long way to go and there is no way I feel monotonous playing her. I agree that the current track needs me to cry a lot more but Ragini will soon see happy days. Let me tell you something-the kind of person I am, the day I will get bored of Ragini, I am going to quit the serial. I will never be able to do a role just for the sake of doing it.

Last year you participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Ja. Are you thinking of any other show now?
When I did Jhalak last year, people saw the real me. I could establish Parul Chauhan as a separate entity and not just someone who plays Ragini. I am open to doing new shows, but I would prefer a decent reality show where I can showcase my talent properly. However, I don't have any plans of taking up a new serial now.

There have been stories about Rajan launching Kinshuk Mahajan and you in a film.
It is true we are being launched by Rajan Sir and he has already started the preliminary work for it. He is writing the script and Kinshuk told me even he was helping Sir with the script. It will be a romantic film. I am sorry I cannot divulge anything else right now. Rajan Sir will announce the launch at an appropriate time.

In the recent past, your link-ups have been more in news. Comment
I have stopped reading newspapers since a few months. I am a much happier person now. I got fed up after a certain point. Every day I would wake up to a story linking me to someone or the other! When I was doing Jhalak it was my dance partner Deepak, after few months it became Nishaant Bhatt (co-contestant in Jhalak) and right now it is Ayush Agarwal (Mohit of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai)! I don't know who the next guy will be they will link me with now. But believe me I am not in a relationship right now. And when I am I will publicly announce it at a press conference!

But isn't there any truth in these rumours, especially with Ayush?
(Smiles) I made the mistake of dancing with him once! Since both of us work for Rajan Shahi serials, we attend the same parties. In one of those parties, I danced with him and the rumours started. He is like a kid and I cannot think of him in any other light.

You seem to have become very close to Hina Khan.
Yes. She is a very good friend. Sara (Khan) and I have bumped into her in the last few months on various occasions. The three of us are very similar in many aspects. Both Hina and I are very passionate about dancing. Since all three of us stay alone in Mumbai and are not from this city, we hang out together a lot. Who says actresses cannot be friends?

You are a celebrity now. How do you feel about it?
I enjoy being one. The other day, I had gone to Bhilwara in Rajasthan to attend a wedding. Believe me I had to change hotels to avoid undue attention. Wherever I went, people would come to me to check if I was Ragini! I was really touched by their love. But yes, there is another side also. In the last two years, I have not had time to visit my native place Lakhimpur Kheri. But I want to more than make up for it now. February 25 is my parents' 25th wedding anniversary and I will be going there to celebrate this occasion. My father is throwing a big party and I am looking forward to it. Just thinking of the love I will get from my friends and relatives there is making me happy. Am really counting days now!