Rupali ‘Monisha’ Ganguly is very excited that her dream of doing a sequel of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai – Take 2) has finally come true and she is elated with the response.
“We all had great fun filming this month long project and am sure you guys are loving to watch it as well. Aatish Kapadia’s (Hats Off Productions) writing is spot on, so we never had any doubts about its success.”
Here Rupali, who over the course of last 16 years has done several hit TV shows such as Sanjivani, Bigg Boss and Baa Bahoo Aur Baby among others, adds that she was initially apprehensive to take up Sarabhai 2 as she was out of shape post her pregnancy.
“But producer JD (Majethia) bhai really pushed me to hit the gym and return to shape. Now when I look at myself, I feel nice and confident enough to face the camera again,” Rupali smiles.
Looking ahead, she might be open to being part of more TV projects, if the plots are meaty enough, says this daughter of late well known film director Anil Ganguly.
Ask her about numbers/ratings, and she quips, “I don’t really care about ratings, that is the job of the channel and JD, I just love the concept and put in my best. The best thing about working in Hats Off Production set is that you don’t feel that you are coming to work, everybody is so chilled out yet committed professionals. When Aatish directs, we laugh more than act. Co actors Sumeet Raghavan (Sahil), Rajesh Kumar (Roshesh), Satish Shah (Indravardhan) all pull my leg a lot. It takes Ratna Pathak Shah (Maya Sarabhai) to put some discipline. Sometimes even JD would land up on set to ensure that some work gets done (smiles). Since we have known each other for 12 long years, the chemistry comes nice and easy. This equation goes against the normal small screen grain where once the show goes off air, so called “best of buddies” go their separate ways. I will not deny that I am in touch with the cast of my last show Parvarrish.”
Tell her could some newer element have been added in Sarabhai 2, she reverts, “Why repair something what is not broken. I don’t think too much about these things. I am just a director’s artist on set and follow what they say to the T.”
This Sarabhai equation goes against the normal small screen grain where once the show goes off air, so called “best of buddies” go their separate ways
But here she admits that the newer stand alone digital medium might make some older generation Sarabhai fans uncomfortable as most are not yet net savvy. “Even my Worli based mum had to come to all the way to my Yari road pad to watch the premier episode as she did not know how to access Hot Star.”
Furthermore, Rupali has no problems looking a bit older on screen. “I have never done Botox in my life and will not start now. I really wonder why female actors want to hide their ages. We should focus on other important things.”
In closing she hopes that the network (Star) commissions season 3 as well. “We have lots more to tell which 10 episodes (season 2 limit) won’t suffice.”
All the best, Rupali.
