Page 58 - Tehelka Issue 8&9

q&a interview

renuka Shahane Surabhi, which ran for 10 years. But it now, which was not the case ear- to imagine to trying to get convic-
Actress it was an anchoring show that was lier. There were much more realistic tion to a role where there is no guar-
telecast once a week. Thus, there serials. I think there is nothing mem- antee of what your character will
‘Earlier, there were much more was a finite quality to TV serials. orable in that sense apart from first be asked to do the next day, there is
dailies such as Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kaab-
no guarantee of same director, there
We as actors knew the beginning,
middle and end of our characters,
hi Bahu Thi, Kahani Ghaar Ghaar Ki,
is very little guarantee about any-
realistic serials on television’ storyline, etc. It was much more Kasauti Zindagi Ki. They were trend thing except that you have to work
setters. All others seem to be poor
organized. I feel sorry for the peo-
long hours.
copy of these serials.
ple who are working in television,
Actors are known for throwing
although there is lot of glamour to
I admire the actors today because
tantrums like coming late on the
actreSS renuka Shahane, who returned usually function then. Now, I see a lot Tell us about your sudden set or events or getting stubborn
in style with an unconventional thriller 3 of professionalism because there is a comeback with 3 Storey. on certain dress code. What’s
Storeys last month, says she will be seen gradual corporatization of the indus- I must say it was a leap of faith for your view on this?
in more films now. Shahane — whose last try. Now, lots of producers are moon- the director Arjun Mukherjee and Luckily for me the huge stars I’ve
Hindi film was 2004’s Dil Ne Jise Apna lighting as actors or writers or people producer Priya Shree Dharan, and of worked with — Shah Rukh Khan
Kahaa while 2015’s Highway her last who want change — so that’s great course Ritesh Siddhwani and Farhan in Circus and Salman Khan in Hum
Marathi film — tells manmohan singh because now you have bound script Akhtar who are also its co-producers, Aap Ke Hai Koun, Madhuri, Anupam
naula in an interview that she did not and everything is planned in advance. to repose confidence in me for the Ji, Alok Nath Ji — and even in televi-
take up any project for a long time as she Some sets even look like Hollywood — unique role I was supposed to essay. sion people I have worked with, I’ve
was playing the role of a mother of young fully equipped the walkie-talkies and They liked my audition. Unless an ac- never seen any of them throwing
children in the real life. a sense of professionalism that’s the tor gets an opportunity he or she can’t tantrums. But yes I did a daily soap
hallmark of the latter. Also, I feel that prove their mettle. So it’s very impor- and there were some people who
eDiteD excerpts from AN iNterview • in terms of content and experimenta- tant to get that kind of role — till then did throw their weight around in
tion, that is going on with the kind of I’ve been essaying stereotype roles the serial that I did on Sony in 2007. I
in the films (I won’t say this for telly- believe that kind of behaviour is not
After a long hiatus, you appeared serials as I’ve done a wide varieties of done. If you have issues with produc-
in tinsel town. What changes do ‘There is lot of scope roles there). Before this, people in the er you should vent it out on produc-
you observe since then? entertainment industry used to look er. But these guys turn on their heat
Well, the long break was due to for newcomers now at me as the sweet bhabhi of Hum Aap on other members from the set such
marriage and 2 kids thereafter in to come-up with Ke Hain Koun or sister of Dil Ne Jise as spot boys, light man or assistants.
2002 and 2004. Prior to this, I was Aapna Kaha. Such image has become I don’t think it is right as these guys
engrossed in telly shows and daily great roles ... Lots synonymous with me and, ironically, are helpless and the ones who follow
soaps. Later, I’d taken a conscious of producers are sweet nice people don’t have much orders from directors and all.
decision to get married and have to do in terms of acting. They are re-
kids — I would be at home with them moonlighting as quired more for their mere presence Would you like to work with
and give my family a priority and so actors or writers ... rather than for any acting ability — so Salman Khan once again?
that’s exactly what I was doing. Also this was something which was really Of course he is a delight to work with
bich bich mai (in between) I kept do- Some sets even look exciting as I come from theatre. Since and we have a very nice working
ing things like Marathi film or televi- my baptisation into the acting world, I relationship. So yes, I would love to
sion shows. I kept in touch with my like Hollywood’ did a wide variety of roles even in the- be part of any project with him. I’m
Marathi audience, at least. But yes, atre or TV, so something like this being sharing screen space with Madhuri
it took 14 long years for the Hindi offered to me was really awesome. after 23 years in a Marathi film called
audience to see me once again on content in Hindi film industry — has Buket List. It is her first Marathi film.
the screen. Last year my elder son been not seen for a very long time. A lot has changed in the world of TV It was such a great reunion. It was
appeared for the 10th exam and only So there is lot of scope for newcom- since Nineties. What’s your take? wonderful to work with her. We
after they settle down and become ers now to come-up with great roles Yes, television has changed a lot. have a very special place in each
independent, I could be able to focus like in 3 Storey that was offered to me One of the main things that has other’s heart since Hum Aap Ke Hai
more on cinematic works. — which is very rare for the one to be changed is the lack of time that peo- Koun, which went on to make history.
I was lucky enough to have a offered to a character actor and I think ple have in television. When we used In later years, Salman and gave many
storyteller like Sooraj Barjatya who more and more of that have been seen to do television, we’d a lot of time hits. But I’m still known only for Hum
produced Hum Aapke Hai Koun, these days and more stories than wid- because they were weekly soaps. Aapke Hai Koun and Surabhi. So it’s
providing us with a bound script er range of stories have been told in Everything was very well thought of. like iconic for me.
where everything was decided earli- Hindi cinema so I think that is a great They did not run forever unless there
er. Ironically the film industry did not change that has happened. were like certain shows like I did — letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 may 2018 58 www.Tehelka.com

58-59 Q&A Manmahan.indd 2-3 02/05/18 5:47 PM