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Sameer Soni rejects Smriti Irani's offer

The actor turns down the role of Smriti's brother in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman

If things worked out fine, Sameer Soni, (Purab in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin) would have been playing Smriti Irani's younger brother in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman. But when Soni rejected the role, it was offered to Pawan Shankar.

"I was offered the role, but I could not do it since I was not given proper details of the character," says Soni.

So, did he find any drawback in the character offered to him? "There was nothing negative about the character. In fact, the role was quite good. But, things just did not work out," he says.

"Ekta has been very sweet to me. She came personally to me for the role. We share a great rapport and I know she will definitely come up with some thing very exciting in the near future," he added.

But the actor has been out of the small screen for quite some time. Reason? Sameer has just completed dubbing for Sooraj Barjatya's Vivah. He has also signed Sanjay Gupta's Alibaug. "Though I am regularly getting television offers, I am busy completing my films for the time being. Television and daily soaps need a lot of time commitment and I really do not have that much time. Moreover, daily soaps stagnate after a certain point of time and then go in for a 20-year leap. I keep reading that actors are fainting on the set. It's all because of erratic work schedule and enormous pressure, which I want to avoid. I want to try something more exciting," he says.

Being blunt: Smriti Z Iraani

One thing I HATE about myself

The one thing I hate about myself is being blunt. It gets me into trouble often, but I still can't resist speaking the truth. I don't know if it's a good thing or bad, but I know it gets me into difficult situations when I stick to facts and the truth.

Parvati's Om set to woo Tulsi

Before you wonder what we are talking about, Kiran Karamarkar has been signed to play the lead opposite Smriti Irani in her new serial Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman. There were talks of Jackie Shroff being roped in for the role earlier but obviously that didn't happen. Even Smriti had refused to comment on the subject saying it was just a rumour. Kiran, we feel will make a good pair with Smriti. Since Smriti is Uma, will Kiran be Om again?

Soaring high

The new entrant of Kasamh Se, Pawan Shankar wants to do more challenging roles

Actor Pawan Shankar's first serial Siddhanth received critical acclaim for its simple script, crisp direction and brilliant acting. It was even nominated to the 34th International Emmy Awards in the drama category, the first for an Indian serial to enter the finals. And since then, Pawan Shankar has moved on in life, aiming to do better than Siddhanth...


Your career graph seems to be at its peak. To what do you owe your success?
My career is definitely shaping well, but this is not the end. I have a lot more to achieve. This is just the beginning. As for whom I owe my success to, frankly, it's purely luck because everyone works hard. I have seen so many people struggling and trying to make it as an actor. Only those who are lucky succeed.


After Siddhanth, you had no projects on hand and were made object of ridicule for claiming to have lots of offers.
Yes, I was shocked to read reports that mocked me. But it's not that I didn't have offers. I had offers but they didn't work out, either due to money or date problems or production delays. Good things in life take time to develop. It's unfair to come to the conclusion that I am bragging about offers.


What do you think about your character's early exit in Aisa Des Hai Mera?
I've no hang-ups about my character's early exit. One must not forget that Rusty is the protagonist and it's her story. Moreover, I wasn't there from frame one in the serial that I should get upset about my character's exit. I was part of the serial just like other male actors are present in any other serial. The exit was smooth and done on mutual terms with Manishji (Goswami). All the same, if I am needed, I am willing to re-join the serial.


What made you take up Kasamh Se? It's an on-going serial and the characters are hugely popular. How do you think you will fit in?
Kasamh Se is a great serial. Being part of it will be advantageous for me. I know it will be quite a task to establish my character Tarun Sablok. But I didn't mind doing it because no matter how tough the competition is, it is in my hands to put in that extra effort to make my character popular.


Were you reprimanded on the sets of Kasamh Se for playing pranks.
The incident was misquoted. No such incident happened. Even the director quoted doesn't direct the show anymore. I share very good relations with my directors. I have never played pranks on the sets.


What do you think Thodi Si Zameen, Thoda Sa Aasmaan can do for your career?
It's already doing a lot for my career. My character Sanjay Apte (a trade union leader) is the next best role after Siddhanth and has taken my career to the next level. I am excited about this project. This role reasserts my stature as an actor. If an actor gets just one good role in his life, then it's a fluke. But this role reassures me of the heights I can reach.

Kiran Karmarkar returns

Actor Kiran Karmarkar will debut in 'Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan'(Star Plus) on September 16 in a role very different to his earlier appearances on television. Returning to the small screen after a year, Kiran says he has returned fresh and recharged.

He plays the role of a mentally challenged man, Sudhansu Jajodia. The eldest son of one of the richest business families in Mumbai, Sudhansu is a victim of a devious plot. After his mother's death, he is drugged since childhood so that he can't stake claim to his father's property.

Saying that there are many ways to essay this character, Kiran says, "We are working as a team to portray this very different to what has been seen earlier. He will not been shown as a mad and dumb man. It is challenging to step into the shoes of such a character as I am associated with sober and subtle performances. I am particularly looking forward to the twist in the show, again something which has never been shown on TV."

Kiran has done a lot of theatre during this break and has learnt a lot. "When theatre experts point out your mistakes, it gives me scope to improvise and become a better actor. When you are famous on television, one is led to believe that one is the best. And, I learnt that I was not. I left acting because I was saturated and tired of working," he says.

"Acting is worship to me and acting for the sake of acting was unacceptable to me. Smriti had called me to do Harsh Chhaya's role in this very serial but that did not work out. And, I am happy to join the cast with this role. The team is trying to move away from the usual successful formula and that is another reason for me to accept this role," says an excited Kiran.

The Omcoming

Kiran Karmarkar talks about his comeback role in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan

Sapana Patil Poojary

You quit Kahani Ghar Ghar Kii after you had an apparent problem with Balaji Telefilms. What made you return to the same production house?
It can be quite frustrating to sit at home, jobless. Thodi Si… is a good project and when I was offered the role, I decided to grab it. This plot is different in terms of quality, direction and casting.


You have not been active for more than a year. What kept you busy in that time?
I deliberately wanted to stay away from television for a while. I had worked continuously for five years and needed a break. I couldn't take the stress any more. So I restricted myself to doing cameos. I kept myself busy doing plays like Kacche Lamhe and Mera Naam Joker and so on. Plus, I was not well for some days and was admitted to the ICU. Now, I am fit and fine.


Yet, you must have received a lot of offers...
Yes, I did receive a lot of exciting offers, but I refused. Smriti Irani had called me in December last year for Thodi Si… At that time, I refused because I didn't want to work at all. Eventually Harsh Chhaya was roped in for the role. However, she called me again and this time I was offered the role of Sudanshu Jajodia, a mentally challenged man. It seemed interesting and I agreed.


Did you ever repent losing out on good roles?
For me, health is wealth. It was my decision to take a break and I didn't regret it.


So how is the experience playing a mentally challenged character?
This is for the first time I am playing such a difficult role the first time. But I am a director's actor and will soon get under the skin of the character.