Mouli Ganguly, who was last seen in Kya Huaa Tera Vaada, is back on television with Suryaputra Karna; she plays Karna’s mother, Radha. She speaks with SRISHTI DUTTA about why she said yes to a mythological show and how the TV industry has changed
You play Radha, Karna’s mother in Suryaputra Karna. Why a mythological show this time aroundIJ
I have never done a mythological role so when the role was offered to me, I said yes. I wanted to play a different character this time. Also, the trend now is of mythological shows on television, so I wanted to be a part of it.
Did you have any inhibitions playing a motherIJ
I feel that more than role, the strength of a character is important. I quite liked Radha’s character so I took it up. However, whether I will still play Karna’s mother when he grows up is not decided yet. The creative meeting for that has not taken place yet. For now, I am happy playing young Karna's mother.
How is the shoot in Kashmir shaping upIJ Have you faced any difficulties thereIJ
It’s a huge experience! We are shooting in the interiors of Kashmir because we want to show snow. The weather, snowfall, low oxygen levels -- all of this is turning out to be a challenge especially because it’s my first time shooting in such conditions. There were also security issues at times. I feel Swastik has taken up a very big challenge shooting in Kashmir. I just hope the audience love the show and see the effort that has gone into making it.
You have always taken up very different roles — protagonist in Kahin Kissi Roz to a negative role in Kya Huaa Tera Vaada and now a mythological role. Has it been a conscious decisionIJ
Although TV does not give much of an opportunity to choose different roles, I nevertheless try to consciously pick out a character which has different shades compared to the ones I have done previously, within whatever I am offered.
What do you prefer doing — a daily soap or a finite showIJ
I personally like finite shows more because you can give a lot to the show since you know the graph of the character. Creatively, you can take more time in shooting finite shows, and that improves the quality. But I feel that the channel should trust the writer, director and the production house with the content, only then we can come up with good and different shows.
Is there any TV director/producer that you would like to work withIJ
We have a few good directors but unfortunately, directors are no more the captain of the ship in TV serials. When the freedom is given to the directors, then one will see a variety of things coming up. Hopefully, support will come in from the channel. Regarding producers, Swastik Productions is one whom I have liked working with.
How well do you bond with your co-stars on the new showIJ
I love the child who plays Karna. And then there is his brother. So there are two pranksters of the sets. You can imagine how it’s like. They pull my leg a lot and get ragged by them. I knew Priya, who is playing Kunti, from before — since we had participated in the same season of Nach Baliye. So it is nice to work with her again.
You have been acting since 2001 in TV. What changes have you noticedIJ
It has become more intense. Earlier, I didn’t have to give an audition. Nowadays, you don’t get a role without auditioning for it. Also, the shot taking is different. However, the content of the serials are still the same — saas-bahu drama. Having said that, I still maintain that if a show has quality and it touches the heart of audiences then all’s good.
Is there something in your wishlist that you would like to doIJ
All I want is to work on projects where my work is appreciated by the audience. I don’t want to work in shows just because I need work. I want people to know me through the kind of work I do. Having said that, I need to have professional satisfaction as well. The medium — small or big screen — does not matter.