TOI: I miss our Jugalbandhi-- Anita Kanwal

I miss our jugalbandi 

Anita Kanwal says she misses daughter Pooja on the sets of the show they did together until recently 

Ismat Tahseen 


The challenge for Sasural Genda Phools sweet dadi,played by Anita Kanwal has begun.In a double role that just kicked off on air in the serial,Kanwal is now also a mean,sharp-tongued grandma (she plays her own sister too).While I am sweet,this new person,who is my sister is a total khadoos,a chauvinist who makes life hell for her daughtersin-law, she says.
But while taking on a character isnt usually tough for this veteran actor,she admits this time a couple of things did make it a little tough to take on the role of the mean dadi.What happened,was that though both sisters are meant to be different,I had to maintain the same look and style of speaking while essaying the characters. 
The scenes are also going to have their dose of fun,though.There are funny moments,for instance when you see the new dadi hating her jija. 
The fun times apart,Anita says its not the same on the sets without her daughter Pooja,who was in the serial but quit recently.I miss our jugalbandi, she confesses.Though I have to say,I think that she did the right thing.Pooja took on the serial thinking she would have a parallel role to play but it actually turned out to be a very insignificant one,so I advised her to quit.Shes a very good actor,dancer and anchor and I want her to have the opportunity to display her talent. 
When contacted,Pooja affirmed her decision to leave.As an actor if you feel you underplaying,you can never be happy, she says.I took moms advice as she is very objective and she knew what I went through.Of course,the final decision to leave was mine, ends Pooja.