Rakhi Vijan back on TV with Paperback Films (Ravindra Gautam and Pradeep Kumar) “Meri Durga” on Star Plus. IWM entered into a candid chat with the lovely lady.
What has been the landmark in your career so far?
Hum Paanch.
Which was your last show?
Gangaa on And TV.
What is so special about your role in Meri Durga?
She’s a Meethi Churi as she pretends to be the nicest person on the earth but actually, she’s rude from inside. Generally, we have a negative character but this shows to a be very positive and a very caring character but behind the scene, she is very vicious. I am an actor and I would do any kind of role and I have always done character roles and I love doing challenging roles. But somehow in Indian television, if you are a very strong looking person and you are not a weak looking person than you are categorized in a negative character and a person who is weak and cannot take care of their self they are characterized as positive. I generally get negative characters but overall if you see my career I have excelled in comedy.
You are a versatile actress who has done so many different shows, so which is your most favourite one and why?
My favorite character which I loved the most doing was Sweety because it had a lot of variation. A character who doesn’t have a brain and it had a very thin line of irritating and becoming comic. It was a challenge and I thought I did well. In Heena I did a negative role, it was the first negative character I did and it was a different role as it was about a girl whose man had gone to another woman and she had to snatch him back. Meri Durga also is different, the role in this show is very nice but vicious inside.
What changes do you find in the industry over the years?
Economically it has changed and become better. First, it was only about fashion and only about an iconic and symbolic show, a working pattern has become more professional and MNCs have come inside. The creativity has gone up and competition is very high and you have to deliver an episode every day. In 1997 we used to deliver one episode per week, so the competition has grown immensely and I think the whole of the industry is doing a great job.
How is it working with Ananya Agrawal, any interesting experience from the set?
She is one like chicken chocolate, crazy and mad child. She’s so innocent and not grown and I am very very fond of her. She’s such a cute child actor. She is the lead and she doesn’t even know. As the director says action she is doing her work but behind the scene she is running around, meeting people and doing all the fun. I always look forward to being with her and I have not seen such an amazing child actor in my entire life. I am very connected to her.
What are your views on education and what is the importance of education?
It’s very important for every child, every child has to go through the punishment from teachers as I had gone. I was a very naughty child and I used to go out with friends and parents. The family atmosphere, schooling, friends a child needs to experience everything, besides all this education is very very important.
How do you unwind yourself?
I spend a lot of time with my mother and my masi. It’s amazing fun. We go shopping and watch films spending time a lot.
What difference do you find in working in films and television?
Films are a challenge it’s only for three hours. Television is everyday 30 mins and in this 30 mins, you have to keep people engaged and deliver. Films take in a lot of time and money and you do a scene a day but on television, you do an episode a day. But I believe television is more challenging than films.
What is the philosophy of your life?
Live life queen size and turn negative into positive.
You come across as a very happy individual. What are the other adjectives you describe yourself?
Positive and shopaholic.
