~*~Sakshi Deewaney Residence~*~ - Page 72

Chat Sony's Bade Achhe Lagte Hain has broken some stubborn stereotypes, says Saakshi Tanwar

F or long, we've been missing a character on the small screen that is headstrong as well as committed to family values. Priya of "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain" is the protagonist we've been longing to see. Saakshi Tanwar, who has returned to television after a break of more than two years with this serial, reminds us that Parvati (her character in the hugely popular "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii") was also headstrong, but agrees that she was a homemaker for a large part of the series. Talking about "BALH", she says: "Here is a girl on the wrong side of 30, who is working, supports the family and is not in a hurry to be married off. She does not wilt under societal pressure. She is rather happy with her situation. There are many girls like Priya around us and they need space in our films and serials. And, the character is consistent from the beginning. There are no sudden twists," says Saakshi, who herself is in no hurry to get married. "I understand Priya's situation but there are no real-life parallels."

New look

She points out that even her look is different from the usual television protagonists who are decked up from head to toe, whatever may be the situation. "Priya wears only three to four sets of kurtas and jeans. The costume designer and make-up man keep complaining because they are not used to such a situation on television, but I insist it should be natural." Saakshi says the serial also makes subtle statements on the way we look at our partners. "Young, fair and handsome doesn't necessarily work. Ram (Kapoor) is not in great shape but his personality is infectious." But, what about the character of Piya's mother, who seems to represent the stereotype of a mother ready to marry off her ageing daughter to almost anybody? "See, a serial needs all the rasas , all points of view. Priya's father and brother are fully supportive. Perhaps that's why she has been able to achieve what she has. Family support is crucial."

In the readymade world of TV soaps you have a dialogue for every occasion, but in this serial, silence and eye movements play a vital role. "I'm glad my efforts are being noticed. Whatever be the constraints, an actor can still do a lot between 'action' and 'cut' if he or she is committed to the art. I always try to give at least three options to my director for the same scene," says Saakshi.

After a rather intelligent start, the serial now focusses on the tantrums thrown by grandmothers and a wily uncle.

"Experiments are fine, but television is still a mass medium where you have to hold everyone's attention. Ekta (Kapoor), the producer, was clear from the beginning that we would raise relevant issues, but cater to all. That said, the real story will start after the Ram and Priya's marriage, when two, strong-willed characters live under one roof."

As for the unmistakable chemistry between her and Ram, Saakshi says: . "An actor basically reacts. So, it is a kind of give-and-take. My portion of the scene where Ram proposes over the phone was shot five days after Ram shot his. I was not even in the city. Both of us got our cues from the assistants on the sets. Still, it looked very natural."

Saakshi is now quite upbeat about Chandra Prakash Dwivedi's "Mohalla Assi", where she is cast opposite Sunny Deol.

Hasn't she missed the film bus? "I was never overtly ambitious. I only surrender to situations. I was very much into academics and looking forward to preparing for the Civil Services when I got the offer to act. It changed my life. I was in no mood to return to television after working (in "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii") for eight years. Ekta offered me this serial more than two years ago. When I refused, she preferred to wait. I believe that what belongs to you ultimately comes to you."

ANUJ KUMAR

How gorgeous does Sakshi look!! 😳