SUPRIYA SHUKlA, who has played a mother on different TV shows, talks to MUSBA HASHMI about her experiences working in Kumkum Bhagya and her overall journey
How has your experience been playing Sarla in Kumkum BhagyaIJ
It has been a beautiful journey so far. When the show started, my role was considered realistic on TV instead of being over-the-top. The characters are so well-fleshed out that it made Sarla a today’s mother. But sometimes my character does bizarre things which I dislike. I’m told to act in a certain way that it doesn’t fit well with the character. Since people relate to me as Sarla and follow me, we’ve to be responsible in what we are showing our viewers.
How much can you relate to SarlaIJ
We are quite similar except that I’m not hyper like Sarla. like her, I’m also a friend with both of my daughters. I like to stay connected with them but never invade their privacy. Sarla is open-minded like me but in a different way.
How has your experience been working with the starcast of Kumkum BhagyaIJ
Kumkum Bhagya is very close to my heart and everyone from the show are like a one big happy family who have been together in tough times. My mother-in-law expired on May 6 and my father on May 31 and I had my birthday on June 14. I told my husband that I won’t be celebrating my birthday but Mrinal Thakur and Sriti Jha (Bulbul and Pragya) came to my house at 12 am with balloons and cake. They wanted to make me happy. Then I lost my mother in 2016 but my on-screen mother-in-law treats me like a daughter and I never felt the vacuum. I can never forget the memories that the show has given me. I have earned friends for life from the shows.
Having played a mother’s role in so many shows, how do you differentiate one the otherIJ
It is all about how these roles are written and how you portray them. As laboni in Tere liye, I was a strong mother, stronger than the protagonist. As Saroj in Dharam Patni, I was a possessive mother. She loved her son so much that she was ready to destroy her daughter-in-law also. As Rameela in Sanskaar, I was a sensitive mother who was scared of her husband. For Sarla’s role in Kundali Bhagya, I wanted to play the role differently but producer Ekta Kapoor wanted me to give Sarla a leaf out of laboni character. I feel Sarla and laboni have some similarities, though they both are Balaji shows but one was a Bengali and the other is a Punjabi mother. A lot of people say that I am the mother of TV.
What is your approach to actingIJ
I try to keep it as real as possible because if people come to know that you are acting then it loses its essence. Even if I have to cry, I never use glycerin. I do it on my own.
One thing that will make you walk away from the showIJ
No connection with the co-actors. If somebody is not bonding well with me, I can’t do a scene with them. I feel uncomfortable. I have left three shows in my life because I stopped connecting with them.
Your eldest daughter Jhanak acted as a child artist in Karishma Ka Karishma...
Yes, she was the small wonder on TV. Jhanak is a beautiful talented girl. She is 22 now and at present, focusing on her studies. I wanted to give her a normal childhood away from the limelight where she can live the way she wants to.
I wanted her to complete her education so that she can decide between what is right and wrong and what is good and bad herself. She will get back to acting if she wants.
If not an actor, what else would you have beenIJ
I would have been a singer or a writer. I am plugged to music 24 hours. I write short stories and poems too. I’ve written five short stories in Hindi. Once I write 10, I will publish them. Every time I am disturbed or upset, I just pour it out on a paper.
One change you would like to see in the industryIJ
I would want to see some good scripts where you are giving out a social message. Our audience follows us and if our shows start giving out good messages it will make a lot of difference in the society.
Second, there are too many aspiring actors who wants to join the industry for the sake of name, fame and money but only a few are able to make a successful career out of it. Acting is an art and not everyone can possess it. Therefore, only talented, skilled and professionals should join the industry.
What are you enjoying watching on TV these daysIJ
I like to watch Kulfi Kumar Baajewala, Ishq Subhan Allah andRoop. They are good shows with a unique concept. I would like to see more such shows that give out a strong message to the society.
What are your upcoming projectsIJ
I have a comedy show coming up in August. Then there is a film. Till then, I am busy with Kumkum Bhagya andKundali Bhagya.