Sangeeta Ghosh, who captured heartbeats as Pammi in Jis Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand, is back after more than five years — this time with daily soap Kehta Hai Dil Jee ley Zara. Sangeeta Yadav talks to the leading lady to tell you why she had vanished, the tumult in her family, her debut movie which never got released, her love life and her upcoming show
What kind of character do you play in Kehta Hai Dil Jee le Zara (KHDJlZ)IJ
Saachi is a modern yet traditional woman with a selfless and free-spirited attitude. She manages the family’s strawberry farm after her parents’ death. Her two grandmothers and two siblings are her world. Saachi is singularly focused on building and securing the future of her family. She lives on her own terms and spreads happiness around her near and dear ones.
What made you take up this showIJ
I left Des Mein Kila Hoga Chand (DMNHC) because I had lost the urge to work. But wherever I went, people came to ask me when would be returning to TVIJ I wanted to do a project as big as DMNHC, a project which kept me interested. I was taken in by the simplicity of the subject that KHDJlZ was dealing with. Saachi will strike a chord with every working woman.
Is it not about your relationship with a younger boyIJ
Yes, there’s love between Saachi and Dhruv Goel (Ruslaan Mumtaz). He is a suave and wealthy lawyer who wants to change Saachi’s outlook towards life. Besides, an age difference of 5 to 7 years no longer matters in relationships. What counts is how the partners make a difference in each other’s lives.
You are making a comeback after more than 5 years. What kept you busy during these yearsIJ
I was not too keen to work. I was traveling and busy being a good housewife. I wanted to spend time with my family and settle in with my husband and in-laws.
How much can you relate to SaachiIJ
like Saachi, I’m a very responsible person. For her, her grandparents and younger siblings are family. My world, too, is all about my family. My father was not keeping too well so I gave up work to look after him. Unfortunately, I lost him to his illness but realised how important a parent is. I struggled hard to overcome the loss as I had to take care of my mother. At one point, work was my priority, but now it’s my mother.
You were quite a rage with JDMNHC. Any memoriesIJ
Actually, the impact and success of the show dawned on me only after it went off the air. But there were some happy memories. I still remember how difficult it had become for me to shoot a scene in Chandigarh where I had to look at the moon and confess my love while moths were raiding my dress. Also, while shooting in london, I used to freeze in the cold weather. My lips used to turn blue but I had to put on the lipstick, smile and continue to act.
How was your experience working with Aruna IraniIJ
It was amazing. She came to me once and said: ‘I wish I was like you when I was your age. You are passionate and hardworking, you are an emerging star.’ This was the biggest compliment I ever got.
Your debut film Bhanwara never got released. What went wrongIJ
The director of this movie will answer this much better. We finished dubbing and everything and our director kept on saying that everything was under post-production, don’t worry, the movie will release soon. But it didn’t see the light of day.
You hosted Nach Baliye and participated in Zara Nachke Dhikha. Any other reality shows you want to work inIJ
Reality shows are very tiring. If I have no work and want to be occupied for three months then I may take up a reality show. But not now.
Other than romance, what genre do you likeIJ
I would love to play a grey character. Something like Shweta Tiwari in DMNHC. She played a not-so-typical negative character. I, too, wouldn’t want to be an out-an-out vamp but prefer to be a woman of grey shades on screen. I can’t play over the top roles.
What are your weaknessesIJ
My strength is my family and my loved ones are my weakness. I always want to be with them but the fear of losing them makes me go weak.
Any particular actor you would like to work with nextIJ
I would want work with whoever is the best in the industry. But more than the actor, I would prefer to work with the best show makers. They are the ones who mould characters which make actors popular.
If not an actress what elseIJ
An excellent housewife. I can also do something in the hospitality sector. I was good at studies. If I had studied more, I would have been a doctor. I left khatak midway, so I could have been a very good professional dancer.
Tell us about your husband, and love.
My husband is a polo player. In Jaipur, he used to teach me how to ride. It was love at first sight. He followed me to Mumbai. We started having long chats on phone and even longer meetings. One day, he came to my house and told my father that ‘I have no intention of having an affair with your daughter. I just want to marry her’. My parents agreed.
Any plans of having childrenIJ
Maybe five years down the line, I’ll think about that.