At a time when TV shows are going off air in a matter of a few months, Sony mytho Vighnaharta Ganesha (Contiloe) has completed six hundred episodes and continues to go strong.

Lead actress Akanksha Puri, who plays Goddess Adi Parashakti in it, credits it to the very well-written and executed story. “Of late, quite a few other shows based on Shiv and Parvati had come out, but they could not hold the audiences, while we continue to be stable, holding the #1 slot on the channel.”

Akanksha further added, “One of the main reasons why I have been able to continue my fruitful association with this show for well over two years is that it does not take too many of my dates. Being a chroma-based show, we don’t need to shoot all 30 days. So I get enough time to do other work as well, for eg, my latest Tamil film had just hit the theatres in November. I will start shooting for one more film in Jan as well.” She has done several south flicks and was also part of Madhur Bhandarkar’s Calender Girls.

Here Akanksha, who has a very glamorous off-screen avatar, accepts that Ganesh does not speak to the youth but to kids and family audiences. “But then, as I said above, I have time to do glammy stuff as well. The best part is that I am among the few actors who are loved equally in a bikini and as a goddess.”

Apart from tv and films, she is game for doing web series as well. “Having said that, I will not do soft po*n type stuff, for I have a responsibility towards Sony, as I am playing a Goddess.”

Shifting gears to Colors reality show Bigg Boss 13, where her guy Paras Chhabra is making heads turn with his actions, she says, “I am glad that he got a chance to go to the secret room courtesy his finger operation. That way, he got a bird’s eyeview of what is really happening. No wonder he is back, all guns blazing. To be honest, his game was faltering a bit, so this was just what the doctor ordered.”

Asked whether Paras ticking off Mahira for hugging Vishal should make her insecure, she says, “No, knowing Paras, who is very possessive about his friends, I understand where he comes from. Both have naturally become very attached to each other, given their locked surroundings. Plus, he did try to explain his anger, saying Vishal was only doing that to make ex, Madhurima, J.”

“Also, I am aware that whatever he is doing is just for the game. Having said that, I have already made it clear that some of his actions (talk about tattoo) did hurt me and I will surely talk to him about them once he is out.”

When asked about Paras’ newfound friendship with Sidharth Shukla, she says, “Even before he entered, I had always wanted him to forge a bond with Shukla, for both are very strong mentally. At first he was hesitant, but I am glad that he has finally come around to my view.”

“I hope fellow secret room inmate Shukla, who is down with typhoid, recovers and returns to the main house. I have always maintained that only Paras and Shukla are in the reckoning for the trophy. None of the others really matters and I don’t think they will be too happy with both burying the hatchet.”