TelechipZ (GURDEEP KOHLI)

The girl-next-door!

She was a well-known model after doing numerous ads for Ponds, ICICI, Ariel, Baazee.com, Cadbury's, Nestle, etc., but soon, acting beckoned her. With a girl-next-door image and a charming smile, Gurdeep Kohli caught the attention of the viewers instantly with the role of Dr Juhi Singh in Star Plus' Sanjivani - A Medical Boon. And she never looked back! After three successful years she has now moved on to another serial, Sinndoor - Tere naam ka on Zee. Let's catch up on more.

What's so special about Sinndoor - Tere naam ka that you chose it as your next serial?
It is about colours of relationships, different shades of life, Indian tradition, values and definitely not another saas bahu concoction. I wanted to be part of a serial that stood out. Sinndoor… gave me an opportunity to portray the role of a girl who loses her mental balance and later regains it. I also got to play a double role for a while in the show. My roles were that of a mentally ill bahu Vedika and then of a Vedika lookalike dancer, Lali, who has to take Vedika's place to help her husband Dhruv during his illness. I was at ease playing the street-smart role of Lali, but the knife I had in my hand played truant by refusing to flick open (laughs). I like playing Lali, the dancer. So much so that I finish the shots with no re-takes.

But you otherwise have such a positive image…
(laughs) I have now broken that quiet, sweet girl image. I had to keep reminding people who met me otherwise that I am not so simple in real life. So these aspects urged me to do the serial. The series has been receiving a tremendous response from viewers and has been maintaining a respectable TRP, so guess it's working.

That's alright but on the whole you still have a positive image. Will this image help you being be considered for more negative characters?
Many people have told me that I have a very positive-looking face. So maybe that might be a bit of a problem. But I think I have the ability to surprise and shock like I did with Lali in Sinndoor. Though till now my girl-next-door image has been an advantage and I haven't had any problems because TV and films deal with day-to-day life and stories related to them. And these are actually a hit. I am not a simple-clad girl. When I got into acting, people identified with me. I was perfectly cast for the role of Dr. Juhi. It's also very important to relate to the image. My girl-next-door one is actually a major hit with viewers. Whenever I would appear in a glamorous role on screen, people would actually say that they wanted to see me as a fresh-looking girl, and not a glamour doll. So when a real meaty negative role comes my way I will think about it.

How much do you think saas bahu sagas depict reality? Are the characters in them justified?
According to me saas-bahu sagas are actually the story of every Indian house and of course, television has everything to do with households. That's why these serials are a hit. It's just showing reality to a certain extent. Of course, there are cinematic liberties without which it will turn into a drab affair after five episodes so in television one has to constantly keep innovating stories to keep the audiences hooked.

Playing the same role continuously, like you are doing, might make an actor's acting skills go unnoticed. Agree?
Not at all! Believe me, I have been flooded with offers. People like Vashu Bhagnani had contacted me for Hrishita Bhatt's role in Out Of Control, Ken Ghosh too called me for Amrita Rao's role in Ishk Vishk Pyar Vyar, Sooraj Barjatya for Rajat Barjatya's film which never materialised, Ekta Kapoor for Aamna Shariff's role in Kahiin To Hoga and last but not the least Ashutosh Gowariker screen-tested me for Swades starring Shah Rukh Khan.

What happened?
I refused, for I didn't want to step into two boats. First of all, I wanted Sanjeevani to reach a logical conclusion and secondly, I am not in a hurry to reach anywhere. I will tread on the glamour road very stealthily. I am very young, I want to take my own sweet time getting there to the top. I am definitely looking at doing films. And I am looking for something substantial in films to come my way. I have been very lucky with television. Yet, as I got a fantastic role of Dr Juhi and now with Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka, television too has been quite fulfilling.

Did you always want to be an actress?
Maybe I was destined to be one, because things in life just fell into place. The production company, Cinevistaas, saw one of my ads and called me up. In one audition I was finalized. I had not got any formal training in acting nor do I believe in it. I have been at ease with acting and feel the emotions personally when I have to do a scene. I imitate actors all the time but only at home for my friends and family. One can improve everyday and learn on the sets if one is inclined towards it. The feedback from audiences, the director, the producer, unit members, other co-stars and friends too make a difference in moulding an actor. I feel lucky that I got a chance to work with stalwarts like Rajiv Varma, Smita Jaykar and Vikram Gokhale in Sanjeevani.

You had lots of animosity towards Mihir Mishra who played Rahul in Sanjeevani.
Yes. We got along well initially but when Shilpa Kadam's role turned negative, he too started changing. Mihir stopped talking to me. I have no clue what bugged him when Shilpa opted out. Initially, I was shocked. But now, it has become a part of life. And then things went from bad to worse. Now that it's all over I have put it behind me. I don't want to talk any more about Mihir Mishra.

Lots has been written about your relationship with Arjun Punj.
My relationship with Arjun is a personal thing. I am happy with him. As for things being written about us, I guess that's the price celebs pay for stardom. I am very lucky. Arjun makes me feel on top of the world every time. I feel very special with him around. Arjun even played a rough and cunning guy in Sanjeevani, which, in real life, he is not. He is very down-to-earth, simple, with a brilliant sense of humour and the best partner I could have had.

When are you and Arjun going to finally settle down?
We are just waiting for the right time. We are both busy working at the moment. It could happen any time.

— Aashish Khanna