Manasi Joshi Roy believes in choosing her work carefully, which explains the considerable gap between her television projects. Last seen in Kyunki Saas Maa Bahu Beti Hoti Hai, the actress is now returning to the small screen after more than a year with Lakshmi Niwas, in which she plays the titular character.

She says, “The most obvious reason for me to take up this show is that I am playing the title role of Lakshmi. It’s wonderful because ageism is a thing in our industry. At my age, being offered shows centered around me truly excites me. Television had reached a phase where older couples were shown only as parents to the leads. Whenever I got such offers, I would ask, ‘Theek hai, hero ya heroine ki maa hai, lekin woh kuchh karti hai kya? Does she have a graph or drive the story?’ I am against being used as a prop in a show. I don’t want to just be in a scene for the sake of it; my character has to be pivotal to the storyline.”

Talking about her new show, she adds, “Lakshmi Niwas is a lovely story about an older couple with grown-up children who still share a strong sense of romance. The husband dreams of building a home for his wife, and together they also dream of settling their children. These are not just the dreams of the middle class or lower middle class; they are universal dreams that cut across every social strata.”

The actress feels that television has finally started to evolve in its portrayal of mature characters. She says, “Shows like Anupamaa have paved the way for older actresses to headline stories again, which makes complete sense because television audiences today are primarily middle-aged women, while the youth has moved to OTT.”

Since Lakshmi Niwas also revolves around a mature couple, much like Anupamaa, is she ready for comparisons?

Manasi replies, “Competition is healthy. I feel the comparison will be between the content of the shows because as actors, everyone brings something of their own to the table. So, actors can’t be compared because that’s like comparing apples and oranges. The only common thread is that we are slightly older women playing mature roles.”

Our fondest memory of Manasi Joshi Roy’s work dates back to 1998, when she headlined Saaya with Achint Kaur. “It’s one of my most memorable shows too,” smiles the actor, who has since been selective about her projects, featuring on-and-off in television shows. Now, a year after Yeh Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar, she is returning to the tube with Kyunki… Saas Maa Bahu Beti Hoti Hai, which happens to be only the eighth show in her career.

This time around, Joshi is in no mood to slow down, following up this show with three more projects. In a candid chat with mid-day, Joshi talks about the ’90s, why the new show had her hooked, and more.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

Though my character Ambika Rajgaur [says] this, she adds that it will be a possibility after the family’s batwara [property split]. She thinks she will raise the girl as her daughter-in-law and show people that [it is possible]. She also insists that the girl will have the freedom to choose whether she wants to become her daughter-in-law or not. She also gives the choice to her son and her joint family; otherwise, it would be unfair. The minute I got the brief about the show and the character, I loved it. Rohit [Roy, husband] and I have known producer Guroudev Bhalla for many years, so I knew that his production house will keep me at ease.

The word ‘Kyunki’ gives that feel. Though our show’s title is a mouthful, it tells you in a single line what it is all about.

If you trace back the history of daily soaps, [you would assume] they were meant to entertain homemakers and people sitting at home. That isn’t how it started. It was started by soap companies because they wanted to promote their soaps through afternoon shows. Then primetime shows began. If you see the larger population in India, not everybody has individual TV sets or access to OTT platforms. In such cases, we are catering to an entire family. So, I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. As long as the content is entertaining, it is good.

I believe it is because that was an era of weeklies, where people waited [a week] to figure out what happened next. The anticipation of viewing a show has gone away today because now we binge-watch everything. Another reason we did well back then was because television was not ruled purely by TRPs and advertising. There were fantastic filmmakers who were making [shows] at that point in time.

KSMBBHH has the potential to be a long-running show, primarily because you will want to see what happens in Amrika’s life, especially when she [Kesar Rajgaur] grows up.

After Hansal Mehta’s short in Modern Love Mumbai [2022], I recently finished a film directed by Samit Tiwari, and an OTT show with Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub. Then I have a film with Sanjay Gupta. I am back after a long hiatus, and it is exciting to explore the [different] mediums.

I consider it one of my most memorable shows, wherein I portrayed a role that I loved. It would be nice if [the makers] could figure out how the characters [have evolved] 15 years after Saaya. Maybe we should talk to UTV and [director] Sanjay Upadhyay. Achint and I would love to do it.

A still from Saaya (1998)

Having weathered many a relationship storm, Manasi Joshi Roy and Rohit Roy turn the exasperation of lockdown into a series of short films on love and its many faces
Anju Maskeri (MID-DAY; August 9, 2020)

Actors Manasi Joshi Roy and Rohit Roy, who have been married for 21 years (after having dated for seven), have never worked together. Although, it was on a set that they first met and fell in love—Manasi was an aspiring model and Roy was assistant to ad film producer Kunal Kapoor. His dream of earning an MBA degree in America was scrapped after he didn't get a visa. Later, both went on to work in several television serials and films; their professional paths curiously never converging. But, the ongoing Coronavirus lockdown changed that.

In the last week of April, when Mumbai was well into the second phase of isolation, the couple, cooped up at their suburban home, was wondering what next. "While there was uncertainty around how things would pan out, we didn't want to be twiddling our thumbs," says Rohit. "As creative professionals, we needed an outlet for our energy." That's when the idea of a web show occurred to them. A discussion with creative agency Indian Storytellers, and Karma Productions, led to the making of Locked In Love. The series which will stream on Hungama Play and partner networks, is a collection of five short films that explore the various facets of love, with the couple playing multiple characters in each story.

Until then, it's about processing the frenetic developments of the past few weeks, they say. According to Rohit, they had originally set out to create a single film, but as they went along, the idea organically evolved into a series. "Because we were pitching it as five different stories, we had to make our house look new and fresh in every film. Thanks to Manasi's background in advertising, she has an eye for detail; how a table should be placed or which curtain would work best in the frame. She was responsible for creating the creative nooks, that you'll see in the films," he says.

The cinematographer of the show is their 17-year-old daughter, Kiara. The shoot timings were restricted to either mornings or late evenings since she was busy with online classes from 3 pm to 7 pm. They even had to take a week off when she was appearing for the Class XI final exams. "Making the film was challenging because you're a functioning household. There are chores to do and family obligations to fulfill. My mother-in-law also lives with us," Manasi says.

During shoots, everybody knew their duties. Their household help would ensure no vessels clanked in the kitchen. "Directors, actors and the production crew normally work in tandem, because you have to sit with the editor and discuss the footage. Coordinating remotely required us to work around these limitations and ensure that nothing of essence was lost in virtual communication," says Manasi.

In terms of the technical aspects of filmmaking and characterisation, it was Rohit who called the shots. "After being ordered around all of my married life, suddenly, I was in charge," he laughs. There were moments when little known aspects of their work personality came to fore. Manasi was pleasantly surprised to see the amount of work that her husband had put into the project. "I had no idea that he could be this persevering and passionate about filmmaking," she says, remembering how he would wake up in the wee hours to send notes to the editor. Rohit is quick to chime in, "What she is essentially trying to say is that after 28 years of being together, it's only in those 28 days, that she realised that I am talented."

Their banter is constant as is their interdependence. It's what has made moments of exasperation during the pandemic agreeable. The couple says the reason they chose love as the overarching subject is because "it's the most powerful emotion". But, the lockdown has been a trial by fire for romantic relationships, both young and seasoned. And skirmishes are unavoidable, feels Rohit. "It essentially boils down to experience versus inexperience. An older couple might be able to handle the situation better, because they know the triggers. You know what gets the other's goat, so you try not to piss them off." For Manasi, what matters is operating as a single, solid unit and soldiering on. Over the years, she says they, as a couple, have grown more responsible and at peace with themselves, which translates into harmony. "When you are young and madly in love, expectations run high. A mature couple that has weathered many a storm, learns to deal with whatever life throws at them," she says.

That said, even successful marriages aren't without challenges. "There are habits that you may have accepted 10 years ago, but today, they bother you. So, things do change," admits Rohit. After the birth of their daughter, he worked his professional calendar around to be there for her. Now that she is all grown up, Rohit says the couple has grown closer. They look forward to doing tasks together. "We are each other's best friend. We try to make it about us."

DNA (April 7, 2015)

I’m not a prude but I’m not comfortable with this short film on women empowerment where the woman says “To have sex before marriage. To have sex outside of marriage. My choice.”

Does this statement imply that the makers of this short film are saying it’s okay for a woman to want sex outside of marriage? That is adultery! And no matter how you choose to justify it or rationalise it… it still is betraying another person that you are in a committed relationship with! And how would people react if there was a film of this nature released on the public platform where a man proudly claims, “I want sex outside of marriage!” Wouldn’t we all scream in outrage and say how dare he wants to commit adultery?”

So it’s okay for a woman to say she wants sex outside of marriage and us to think this is empowering her in some way ? I’m sorry but I don’t get this at all.

Let’s give the devil its due and try to understand why they made this statement. These are the various scenarios which could have prompted this line:

1) The woman is in a bad marriage and her husband is having sex outside of the marriage so perhaps the woman wants to do the same… She can do whatever the man does and therefore she is empowered! Really? Or is the act actually not retaliation. She’s doing this because she wants to get back at him or maybe they have reached a stage of apathy where each one is doing whatever he/she wants.

2) The woman is in a good marriage but still wants to have sex outside marriage! Fine … that’s your choice definitely as long you’re willing to grant it to your man too. Because otherwise, this whole women empowerment thing is imbalanced.

But whatever the reason a choice which would cause hurt to either partner in a relationship is definitely not empowering.

Sex is a beautiful act when it’s between two mature consenting adults. Man/woman, man/man, woman/woman. But the minute the rules change for either, there’s an imbalance.

To have “my choice” is very important but along with it comes great responsibility. So if I have the choice to say or do whatever I want… I should also choose what I say and do wisely.

And that’s what I have a problem with! I hope they explain the reason behind this line… Because otherwise My Choice merely advocates some sort of lopsided feminism.