How Sakshi Tanwar Agreed To Play Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii's Parvati 'After Much Persuasion'

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; August 18, 2022)

Sakshi Tanwar’s two-decade-old show Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii is being telecast again. In an exclusive chat, Sakshi, who prefers to keep a low profile when it comes to her personal life, shares how she never watches TV at home, is happy living a simple life and is content with her career graph, where today she is dabbling in all mediums. Excerpts:

Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii is being telecast again, do you feel that the saas-bahu genre hasn’t changed on TV over the years?
I remember Ekta Kapoor telling me years ago, when the promos of Kahaani… had launched, that I would be mobbed soon. In no time, it became popular, and people started calling me Parvati bhabhi. The show was all about how a bahu tries to keep the family together against all odds and that connected with the audience. The saas-bahu genre is a popular genre and there is demand for it even now.

What do you think about the overall content on TV compared to earlier?
Honestly, I don’t have a cable connection at home or an OTT subscription. At the most, we watch some videos on the internet for nursery rhymes or poetry for my daughter. My parents also don’t watch TV. So, I have no idea about content on television. But having said that, I feel that if a good show is airing again, then there must be an audience for it.

After Kahaani…, you were seen in Devi and then Bade Acche Lagte Hain. Do you feel you should have been a part of more shows? Are you happy with the way your career has panned out?
Kahaani… ran for eight years, then I did Devi, and later, I did a few special episodes on shows. Bade Acche… ran for four years. So, that left me with no time to do anything else. Earlier, I was shooting 300 days a year and spending time with family for only around 65 days, but now it is a choice to work less, and God has given me that option. So, in terms of work, I am quite happy with my career graph. Also, after Kahaani..., I was offered similar roles like Parvati and I did not want to repeat myself, so I took a break or hosted shows.

Your big Bollywood break was Dangal with Aamir Khan, and recently, you did a web show, too. How difficult was it to break into these mediums?
Even when I was offered Dangal, I always felt, ‘Mujhse nahi hoga’. I went to meet them casually. I didn’t make any effort to get into films or do OTT shows. I have just made the most of whatever has come my way. Whether it is TV or films, I have never pursued it aggressively. But, I am happy that people have liked my work in the web space, too, because it was totally out of my comfort zone.

You are a single mother. Are you looking for a companion?
I have a very strong support system in my family and friends. I have a beautiful daughter, and I feel blessed and happy. I am a very basic and simple person, who believes in living the small joys of life.