Rajeshwari Sachdev is an extremely versatile performer and has proved that yet again in her new show Shaadi Mubarak on Star Plus.
Rajeshwari who has had oodles of experience on the big screen as well as on TV, plays the role of the Rajashthani housewife Kusum Kothari, who has single-handedly managed her house and four kids in the show produced by Shashi Sumeet Productions.
Her performance is simply the show-stealer and one can only praise her for the efforts put in.
Says Rajeshwari, “I am having a ball with the show. It is fun to play a role like Kusum Kothari.”
Ask her about her inputs to the role and characterization and she is very humble in saying, “Well, it is not a one-person job. There is always a team involved. Having said that, as an actor, I wanted it to sound as real as possible. The first thing I had to start work on was to get the language right. Obviously, I am not from Rajasthan and it needed me to put my efforts. I have been very lucky to get this actor by name Amar Sharma who helped me with the dialect. He’s been wonderful and because of him, life has become so much easier (smiles) with respect to the language. I dedicated a lot of time everyday to get the nuances right.”
“With the basic work happening, the mind gets in to play. When you think of a part and you want to play it, it just flows out that way. I cannot explain how I got the nuances like the laughter, eye expression and tone of speech. Of course, the mannerisms of a character become important and I am glad that people like the way I am playing it,” she adds.
Ask her about her amazingly unique way of wrapping her saree palloo and Rajeshwari talks with conviction about her own observation. “This is something that I have seen. If you see the Marwari women in the city who wear sarees, they wear their palloo exactly in this manner. These are things that over the years, you have collected in your memory. So when I was offered this role, I was very sure that I will wear my saree only in this way. They wear the saree in a so endearingly beautiful way.”
Ask her about the response for the role and show and she quips, “I am so thrilled with the response. It has been a long time since I played a role like this. I think in my first Marathi film was a comedy. After that, people have seen me in many different kinds of roles. This kind of an OTT role, which is in the real zone is enjoyable. This is a very real character. Playing Kusum makes me feel refreshing.”
Ask her about the secret behind staying so fit and trim, and Rajeshwari avers, “I should say, ‘Lockdown ka asar hai; lockdown ne badi mehnat karwayi hai ghar pe’ (smiles). I would have never done so much of work ever in my life.”
On whether she is similar to Kusum in any characteristic, Rajeshwari exclaims, “Every person has a unique streak. I do not know what to say with respect to similarities and differences to Kusum. She is also another woman. There are a lot of fun elements in her.”
Speaking more about her character Kusum, the fine actress states, “Kusum is a very brave character, very clear character. That’s a quality only few possess. And this clarity gives her all the confidence. She comes from where she comes from. She has also raised her kids single-handedly. You can see that she is totally different from what Preeti is. She has been very accepting of many things and has learnt to be a fighter. There is honesty about the character. Above all, her approach to life is so motivating. There is also certain youthfulness in her character. These are the women who must have gotten married very young, had children very young.”
Talking about her co-actors, she explains, “Manav, I have known him for a very long time. But we are working together for the first time. With Rajshri too, this is the first opportunity. The bachchas are all new to me. It is real fun unit. The Director is very good, sensitive to the scenes and emotions. Writing is very good. Producers are very good. Overall, this is an environment conducive to good work.”
As for Rajeshwari, the selling factor of Shaadi Mubarak is, “When I heard the script, I went ahead with the gut of Shashi. Shashi was so clear about what she was making. It is the story of two middle-aged people who are trying to find a bit of normalcy in their lives. It is about getting that second chance in life. I would say that Shashi has executed exactly what she promised, as Shaadi Mubarak is definitely a different take on life.”