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| "Ekta called to say she liked my new serial" |
| Chaya Unnikrishnan Juggling between three serials of which she is producing two, Smriti Irani is in an exciting phase of her career... Between your two serials Thodi Si Zameen, Thoda Sa Aasman and Virrudh, which has got you maximum applause? There's a distinct difference between the background and stories of the two serials and as a producer I feel proud. Thodi Si... is about a simple, chawl life while Virrudh is about this extremely rich Singhania family. The story-telling, the way it's shot and casting are completely diverse. Thodi... is aired on weekends at 10 pm, which is not a popular slot. Yet, the serial has managed to reach a TRP of 3+ which is a big achievement. It's a different type of storytelling - realistic and idealistic. Virrudh, on the other hand is just two weeks old but it's getting a heartening response. It's appealing to the elderly crowd as well as the youth working in call centres. I have got a positive feedback from my peers, co-actors and producers. Even Ekta called to say that she liked the serial. How did you manage to get an ensemble cast for your serial? I have always looked out for actors who fit the characters. When I wrote the script I wanted Vikram Gokhale, Sushant Singh and Achint Kaur. And - surprise, surprise - when I approached them, everybody came on board within minutes of my narrating the story. I think the reason they agreed immediately was because I gave them their character graph from day one to the end of one year. As for Sushant, I had approached him earlier for Thodi Si... but it didn't work out. This time he was happy with the results and was willing to be a part of the soap. Apara Mehta's entry into the serial came as a surprise to many because of your alleged fall-out sometime ago. These kind of reports are written either to peak interest, increase TRPs or to create trouble. I have never used the press as a platform. People I am associated with know me and that's all that matters. I was very keen that Apara play this particular non-glamorous character and when I called her, she agreed. For the first time we are seeing her sans heavy make-up, jewellery and bindi. I wanted the actor Apara to be enhanced. How are you balancing your act between being a hands-on producer and actor? I think it's an exciting period in my career. Very rarely does one get such an opportunity on television and it is all about utilising it to the best. I am playing three different characters from different backgrounds... The age group of Uma (Thodi...) and Vasudha (Virrudh) is almost the same. Vasudha is a contemporary woman who's not overtly ambitious and is quite content with her life, whereas Uma is a fiery woman who's had to face too many ups and downs in her life and is hoping for things to smoothen out. As for Tulsi, even today I am charged about playing this character who's had a fascinating journey from a nubile 18-year old to the grand age of 60. There's a kind of thehrav to her. She's not as agitated as she was earlier. There was a time when Tulsi was considered real and hailed for her ideals. Is she still realistic? It's a melodrama. How real can she be? Now-a-days one sees a lot of your solo shots in Kyunki.... And whenever there's a group there's a feeling that a duplicate is being used. Comment. Time and again people have tried to create a controversy around the serial but thankfully I have stayed away from it. I don't answer such questions, these are technical queries that should be addressed to the person concerned. I am just a employee there. So, which is your favourite role? The one I play at home, that of a mom (laughs). Many actors who are playing the lead prefer to stick to one serial. You are the protagonist in three serials. Isn't it difficult? As I said I am enjoying this period in my life. When you start a new serial, it takes time to get into the character but then you kind of settle into it. This make it easy. I am not saying you can switch on and off from the character. But you also never ever become the character. You only incorporate personality traits you have observed into the role. What about the production hassles? Fortunately, I have had sincere support from my production teams. I have chosen the best names in all the fields from direction to cinematography who take care of all the minute details. Has your banner Uragya Entertainment lined up any more shows in the near future? Yes, there's one coming up for Zee. I can't talk more about it now. Will you be acting in it? No. I can't possibly take up any more work! |
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
