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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sumona Chakravarti, better known as Manju - Kapil Sharma's wife in Comedy Nights With Kapil, is returning to the fiction genre after almost a year. Last seen in the daily soap Bade Achhe Laggte Hain as Ram Kapoor's sister, the actress will soon enter Jamai Raja. She will play Siddharth's (Ravi Dubey) childhood friend Misha Grewal. Her proximity with Siddharth will not go down well with Roshni. Sumona says, “I hadn't gone anywhere, so there is no question of a comeback. I was associated with Bade... for over three years and I wanted a break after it ended. Then, I got busy shooting films and travelling. I decided to return to daily soaps starting this year, but people assumed that I won't have time to devote since I am busy with Comedy Nights. But the fact was that I was busy travelling, faffing and wasting money. I wanted to get back to the grind. After doing a good show, you become choosy about the projects you take up. I don't want to do another character draped in a saree, wearing mangalsutra and sindoor in a fiction show. My role in the new show is interesting and different.“ 

Once you have tasted blood, it's difficult to resist the temptation again, says Gautami Gadgil Kapoor. She is returning to TV with Rajan Shahi's Tere Sheher Mein, seven months after her last outing Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi, which shut in three months owing to a poor run. “I was thoroughly disappointed and was in a state of shock. I had no clue that television has become TRP-driven and so cut-throat that shows are being pulled off in three-four months,“ she says.

Her new role, by her own admission, isn't much different from her previous outing - she plays a mother again, but she is gung-ho about the story and the way it's shot. She says, “Nobody on TV can offer me anything different. We are attempting something new in terms of the content and the way it is shot. We might not look glamorous on the show, but rather simple and washed out, which might be jarring for the viewers.“

Gautami feels there is a dearth of good roles for actresses who want to return after a hiatus as nobody writes a central character keeping them in mind. “You may not become the lead of the show, but you can still make a mark if you are talented. But unfortunately, you are not even offered roles once you are past a certain age. But then, there are shows like Bade Acche Lagte Hain with Ram as the male lead despite him being overweight. He turned a lot of things around for his contemporaries and the way a hero is perceived,“ she believes.

Ram's female fan following saw a rise during that show. “It was funny. Because he is my husband, I take him for granted. I would tell him to lose weight. He managed to change the perception. It was a big gamble which paid off. Most men after a certain age look like he did on the show and hence, it looked real and relatable,“ she says. Does she still nag him about his weight? “No, he does his own thing. I am happy the way things are,“ she laughs.

And how did she take to the lip-lock sequence between Ram and Sakshi Tanwar? “I wasn't too comfortable in the beginning. But I became fine as it was with Sakshi, who I have known for years. I married Ram knowing the fact that he is an actor and will never impose terms and conditions on him. That would be limiting him. It's a big thing for a woman to let go of it, but this profession comes with that baggage,“ she replies.

However, she isn't game for such a scene. “I don't think I can do something like that. I am not that forward. I know I would be acting, but to take that step, I really have to be in love with that person,“ she says. And how would her husband react to it? “He is extremely possessive. If I were in his shoes and I had to do something like that, there would have been a lot of conflict. That's how Indian men are. They tend to get very possessive when it comes to their wife and daughter. Actually, I don't know how he will react as I have never asked him this. When you are past a certain age, fears are far deep and complicated. You don't fear that your man would leave you for another woman,“ she replies.

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; June 18, 2014)

Best known for the lead roles he played in telly soaps, Ram Kapoor ventured into Bollywood with character roles in films like Karthik Calling Karthik, Agent Vinod and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, among others. In Sajid Khan's upcoming comedy Humshakals, he plays three characters, all called Mamaji. Excerpts from a conversation...

Sajid and you have been friends for years. Why did it take you so long to collaborate?
I know a lot of people in Bollywood, but it's not in me to tell a friend that I want to work with him. Sajid did well in his career, while I progressed in mine. When I was doing TV, maybe he didn't think I was a good option. Once, after I had acted in a couple of movies, he said we must work together. At that time, I didn't know what he had in mind for me. When he approached me with Humshakals a few months later, I said, `Fantastic. Let's do it'.

Being a big TV star, what prompted you to start with supporting roles in films?
While it's true that I've done well in TV , it took me more than 10 years to get there. Films are a different ball game altogether. I had decided that I would do whatever it takes to enter movies, but slowly . Be it Agent Vinod or EMAET, they were baby steps for me. Due to my size, I fit into character roles. I'm aware of my advantages and disadvantages and discussed this with Sajid too. Boman Irani is one actor I look up to and I think I can have a similar career graph. I've a plan in process and I'm moving from one step to the next.


What was your first thought on hearing that you have to dress up as a woman?
I was nervous as to whether I'd be able to pull it off. Doing a hit show on TV means doing the same thing for three-four years. When I decided to venture into films, I wanted to try and do things as differently as possible. So, I took Humshakals as a challenge. On TV , I'd have never got an opportunity like this.
In movies, I want people to see all sides of me as an actor.

What happened the first time you stepped out in your female avatar?
That was in Mauritius. Kareena (Kapoor Khan) and Genelia (D'Souza Deshmukh) were also there. Tamannaah and Bipasha gave me a hug, saying they found me too cute. If the audience reacts the way people on the set did, I'll be happy.

While Saif (Ali Khan) and Riteish (Deshmukh) are chasing each other's female avatars in a song, you're chasing your own. Was that intentional?
That was Sajid's idea. He thought it would be funny if Ram is chasing Ram. Shooting that portion took us four days and it was extremely tough. I had to alternate between both the looks to complete the shoot.

You've worked with Saif briefly in Agent Vinod. Since you have a lot more scenes with him, how was it different this time?
Saif is a thorough gentleman. I got to know him better now as we spent more time working and chilling out together. He's got a wacky sense of humour.

What about Riteish?
He is a fantastic person and a great guy to work with. He gets along with everyone.

What did your wife Gautami have to say about your 'woman' avatar?
After seeing the promo, she laughed non stop for 10 minutes. I've never seen her laugh so much. She got our kids to see it and they too had a good laugh. They're all excited to see the film, particularly me as a woman.

What's next in movies? Aren't you apprehensive this may typecast you in comedies?
Since I've been trying to do different roles, I don't think I'd be slotted. I've signed three movies, one of which is Patel Rap with Sunny Leone. It's a hilarious comedy in which my character, a Gujarati man named Patel, is secretly obsessed with Sunny. As for the other two films, let's wait for the producers to make the announcement.

What about Bade Acche Lagte Hain?
I had signed it for three years. After that, I informed the producers and the channel that I won't be able to continue.

Actors have gained and lost weight for roles. For which directors and what kind of roles would you consider losing a few kilos?
I'd do it for any director as long as the film and the role is worth the effort. It takes time to lose weight, and currently, I'm committed to movies, which came my way due to my size. So for the next six-eight months, I have to look like this. If something comes up later, I'd have to take a break to lose weight and not take up anything else till that assignment is complete.

Is it goodbye to TV then?
I'll never turn my back on TV, because it made me a household name. If something good comes up, I'll definitely consider. Otherwise, I'm totally focused on movies.

SAJID KHAN ON RAM KAPOOR
“Ram was initially shy after dressing up as a woman. We had to shoot on a beach and he was very hesitant. But when he saw people laughing, he felt it was working. He then started interacting with people to shed his inhibitions.“

Humshakals, produced by Vashu Bhagnani and presented by Fox Star Studios, releases June 20.