|
 Tell
us something about your role in Maniben.com
Maniben.com is a
middle class woman’s journey to discover whether her
individuality and values can withstand the pressure of the
ever-changing competitive world.
I play Maniben, a
sweet, cultured and well-behaved woman with a comic touc. The
show revolves around Maniben’s daily life, who lives in one of
the many chawls in Mumbai with her husband and children.
However, this is
not my first comic role. Not may people know that I started my
career on Doordarshan with a comic role in Aaj Kal Aur Kal.
It was during this serial that Ekta Kapoor noticed me and
offered me Tulsi’s role in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
The new serial Maniben can be called my comeback on TV.
With Hindi soaps
offering similar plots and sob stories, do you think Maniben
offers a refreshing change?
Certainly. This is
a serial where issues of survival are dealt in a light manner
without being preachy. It is about a woman with a liberated
mind, who follows her heart in times when everybody is scheming
and planning. It has no melodrama and fakeness. The show has a
simple format with real-life characters, something the audiences
would be able to relate to.
What is your
uptake on overdose of reality shows on TV?
We do see a lot of
reality television these days. But what we need is programmes
with good ‘‘substance’’. However, the question is
whether this substance sells or not. We are offering the
audiences; reality packed in saas bahu format. This is
something acceptable to the people, because they relate to it.
How much do you
relate to the characters that you portray on screen?
Before I answer
this, I need to tell something about myself. I have always
believed in working honestly. But little did I know that I would
have to pay a price for it. I also feel that nothing comes easy.
I had to struggle hard to carve a niche for myself on TV. But I
don’t like to rest on my past glory. I have always done roles,
which I could relate to in some way or the other. Tulsi was a
woman who held on to her values, quite like Maniben. In Virrudh
too, I played a convincing character. Nonetheless, I feel that
most TV serials tend to become repetitive after sometime. But I
have always tried to do different kinds of roles at different
times.
In real life too
you play distinct roles — of a mother, social worker and a
politician.
I have no idea how
I manage to handle all these roles. I just thank god for giving
me the strength and opportunity to give my best in every role I
play.
I began my
political career as the vice-president of the youth wing of the
BJP and went on to occupy various posts. Currently, I am the
national secretary of the party. It has been a steady climb, for
which I was working day and night. I am sure I can do a lot for
my party and I am doing my best. |
