Neha Marda, who plays the starry-eyed bride in Doli Armaanon Ki on Zee TV, talks about her role and tells RAMA DWIVEDI that domestic violence shown on TV sends a strong message that in real life this kind of behaviour is unacceptable and it’s time to take action against it
We saw Urmi confronting her husband Samrat. Tell us more about the twists that will followIJ
The situation was set around teej. Teej and Karva Chauth are two of the most important functions for married women. Unaware of the twist that her life is going to take, Urmi is very happy and on cloud nine. She always endured Samrat’s atrocities because she thought mera pati mera hai. But then she finds out that her husband is cheating on her and moves out. This leads to many twists that are unravelling as we speak.
Why did it take so long for your character, an educated girl, to leave an abusive husbandIJ
Women, especially in India, have this innate quality of being patient. We will do anything to keep our marriage intact. Urmi, too, had hoped she would change her husband and save her marriage. But when she realises that it’s impossible to change him, she moves out. She had reached her limit of tolerance.
How different are you from Urmi in real lifeIJ
There’s hardly any similarity between and Urmi and me. I don’t have a husband like Samrat and am very happily married. But the character is very close to me. I have learnt a lot by essaying her. Being Urmi has made me a better person and I can now take a stand in certain situations.
Do you think showing domestic violence on TV sends a wrong messageIJ
I don’t agree at all. If we don’t show something like this to viewers, how will you make them realise that it’s a very wrong thing to tolerate domestic violence and marital abuseIJ When you see a man beating up his wife, the women watching the show connect to her and suddenly it’s not something that one should tolerate anymore. We have seen successful shows on social issues. The message we want to send across is that it is not correct to abuse one’s wife.
Doli Armaanon Ki is completing 200 episodes. Any special celebrationsIJ
Nothing planned as of now. We are under so much pressure for current shoots and are focusing so much on the twist that has come up in the serial that we have had no time to plan anything special for the occasion. But I am sure we will manage to put something together.
Why did you keep away from television for almost two yearsIJ
I was enjoying my stay with my new family after marriage and I think, it’s still too early for me to be back in the industry. I am missing my home and, I think, another couple of years at home would have been good for me. I wanted to enjoy those trips abroad and sleeping late into the day. But my family persuaded me to get back and here I am.
Why did you turn down the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa offerIJ
I was approached for Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa but could not be a part of it this season. It was sad turning down the offer since dancing is my first love. But I am bound by the show. I would love to grab an opportunity to be on Jhalak’s stage in the next season though.
Any future projectsIJ
It’s very difficult to plan anything for the future. I am very happy and content with the show right now. The show is doing very well and I am just loving it. Rest is very unpredictable.