HT-M_Dun think m sexy - Barkha

Barkha Bisht-sengupta returns to TV after two years; believes her sexy image might have cost her roles

Barkha BishtSengupta is returning to TV after two years with Parvarrish, on which she will play a mother to teenagers. The 33-year-old will replace Rupali Ganguly, who quit the show due to her pregnancy. She discusses her comeback, film career and being written about for her washboard abs.

Were you hesitant to play a mother on-screen?

No. I like the role of the hyper mom, Pinky. I'm making a comeback on TV after two years. Actresses often play older characters. In Parvarrish, Shweta Tiwari plays my elder sister even though she is younger than me.

Rupali is expecting a baby. Will you offer her any advice?

I'm sure everyone is giving her tips, so I'll let her be. When I was expecting Meira, I was overloaded with advice but eventually I did what I felt was right.

You're best known for your physique. Do you take that as a compliment?

I work hard to stay in shape, especially after having a baby, so I'm proud of myself. But at times, I think my looks are a drawback because my fitness is discussed more than anything else. I don't think I'm sexy, but I've been tagged glamorous. People doubt if I'd be the right fit for a role because of my looks. No one has said it to my face, but I feel I have lost out on projects.

Do you feel you don't have that one hit show as your claim to fame?

Yes, other than Radha Ke Do Naam, which got me some good roles. But on TV, it's not about acting but about the popularity of the show. If the show is a hit, it doesn't mean that the actor is the best choice. The TV audience is unpredictable, so you never know what will work.

You are doing films too. Why didn't you stick to them?

I have done three Bengali films and have Ram Leela coming up. But I feel comfortable doing TV, so I came back to it.