Suhasi Dhami, who claimed fame with Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, talks to Sangeeta Yadav about making a comeback after three years with Aapke Aa Jaane Se on Zee TV, a show promising to break marital norms
How is Aapke Aa Jaane Se shaping upIJ
It has been a month and the show is picking up now. Since the show is a little different as it talks about single parent marrying a boy who is more than double younger of her age, we have given ourselves some time so that people could connect to us slowly. The story sets in the background of lucknow where people are still inclined to traditional values and ethics. There are some people who would not want to watch this kind of show. Moreover, the thought process of people in urban cities is very different than what you see on TV.
Do you think the society will accept this conceptIJ
The acceptance doesn't come easily but it takes its own time. The society is changing. I know somebody who has a daughter and got married to 11 years younger boy. I was very supportive to them. There is a reason why marriage to a younger boy doesn't happen and is so rare. The age difference, exposure, maturity and sense of responsibility doesn’t come that early. But the marriage has to happen, it will happen.
Earlier, people used to say that 21-22 is the right age to get married. Now people say 35 is the right age to get married. People used to plan kids when they were 25, now kids are happening at the age of 40 also. If you stop doing something or stop progressing because of the societal norms then you will miss out on your opportunity.
People in cities do talk about such issues and they are quite open about it and very strong to take their own decision.
What made you say yes to this showIJ
When I read the script, I like the concept so much that I didn't even think twice to take it up. In TV, you don't get to do a lot of different kind of roles. Sometimes TV becomes regressive. Sometimes there are phases where the show becomes a mode to conduct an experiment. But I believe I’m very lucky to sign this show as it questions the societal norms and notions which are preconceived by the people.
How much can you relate yourself to the characterIJ
I have never been in love with a younger boy in my life. Moreover, I am playing an older character for the first time. I would not think as much as my character Vedika would in this show to marry a boy much younger to her.
While playing Vedika, who is a widow and a single parent, there are times when I get a little excited about certain scenes and the director has to remind me that the character has gone through a lot in life.
There is a character called Pandey who is all the time talking about Vedika. I feel like arguing with him and slapping him but Vedika would not do that. There have been times when I have had arguments that this should not be this way. I have to behave in a certain way. It has been two months that I have been shooting and I am still taking time to get settle in this character and react like Vedika naturally.
Why did you take a break from TVIJ
I took a sabbatical for my two-and-a-half-year-old son. Three years back, my last show Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev wrapped up and then I had a baby. I was waiting for my son to grow two years old.
Do you think careers of actresses get affected after marriage and babyIJ
Not at all. The career for actresses never ends after marriage and baby. I have been married for 11 years now. Yes, motherhood is a very big responsibility and a lot of changes happen to your life and your body. The initial six months was very difficult for me. When you see our body completely out of shape, you get depressed at that time.
And when you work towards it and it still doesn't get better, every now and then you have to remind yourself that it took nine months to get to this shape and it might take a little more to lose it. I have a very good support system of my mother-in-law and husband. It takes time for actresses to get back to work. You think that the people and TV fraternity has forgotten you but it is just a myth created out of fear.