Having been in the acting trade for so many years, Narayani Shastri does not take the ending of her shows too seriously. Her latest Star Plus offering, Rishton Ka Chakravyuh, has just wrapped up.
“I had a great experience. In fact I wouldn’t mind calling it one of my best shows in a long time. Great content from the makers rightly balanced the thin line between masses and classes. I haven’t enjoyed so much since Piya Ka Ghar. I would surely love to associate with the producer and team again.”
What do you think went wrong? “No clue. It was not TRPs for sure, because we were doing around 1.4 TVR. Guess Star Plus is being overhauled, for not only us but even a few other shows have been taken off. I was shocked, for everything was over in two weeks,” says Narayani, who has done several hit shows such as Piya ka Ghar, Kkusum, Mamta, Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan, Phir Subah Hogi, etc.
Looking ahead, she wants to try her hand at the comic genre.“Personally, I have a very stupid sense of humour; not the smart, intellectual type. I find silly things funny.”
“Having said that, slapstick content is a strict no no. I never found Charlie Chaplin funny. I don’t get the falling, getting up and loud type of fun. I prefer situational comedy-based concepts, like Chupke Chupke and Angoor.”
Talking about Superstar Sridevi’s unfortunate demise, Narayani took a politically correct view, refusing to comment on the actress’s death in a bathtub. “I don’t know what you are talking about, as I don’t follow the news. I have read a few bathtub jokes though, and found it very distasteful.”
“I just wish we let her go peacefully. She has entertained us for four decades and lived her life with dignity. She was fire on screen.”
She then blasted sections of the media for crossing the line. “Agreed they have a right to question our acting, looks, etc., but going into the whats and whys about death is just disgusting. Guys, have a heart. Do you need to make a drama out of everything? Just spare a thought for Sridevi’s family. How will they feel, reading and seeing all this at a time when they are grieving.”
In closing, Narayani claims to have a transparent relationship with the fourth estate.“It is a two-way street. If I have something to say, I will not mince words, but when not, I will stay away, and won’t ask for frivolous stories.”
