A layman and a television actress

A layman and a television actress

Pooja Ghai Raval talks about marrying outside the television fraternity

Reena Thapar Kapoor

Television actors who marry within their fraternity do not have to go through the stress of explaining their erratic work schedules to their spouses. But things are different if one of the two isn't from showbiz.

Actress Pooja Ghai who married husband Neeraj Raval, a senior executive in an MNC seven years ago confesses that it wasn't easy handle both.

"In our case, it was even more difficult because I'm a television actress and my job is more demanding than that of a film actor," she says. The actress says that things weren't so difficult before the birth of their son. "It's different when you're just married and have fewer responsibilities. But things change when you have a kid," she confesses. "We couldn't socialise much after (our son) Raaj was born. But now he is old enough to take care of himself and so we've begun to go out once in a while."

She continues: "He works from nine to five while I have no definite working hours. We were dating for seven years before we got married. And Neeraj was aware of that. He knew that my profession would keep me away from home and most domestic responsibilities."

So, he was the balancing factor, right? She says: "I must give myself the credit for balancing things extremely well. I didn't know that I had it in me to look after my child, my husband, my work and my extended family. I think that's the best part about being a woman."

But she accepts that Neeraj never shirked responsibilities. She continues: "Neeraj is a good father. There have been times when he had to baby-sit Raaj. And he did it without grumbling. There were times that my work kept me so busy that I couldn't give him enough time. But he was extremely supportive and never complained. Instead, he would make up by dropping on the sets as and when he could. A couple of years ago I was extremely busy doing two and three shows. Amidst all that, a quick bite or a cup of coffee together would make me happy." Pooja says that despite her hectic schedule, she tries her best to keep a check on her house. She says: "I have to know about my grocery stock. I have to have everything at home." Apart from that both Neeraj and Pooja makes sure to attend to Raaj. "We're in touch with his teachers and his academic progress. However busy we are, we can't ever neglect our child."