The Ericsson mobile ‘one black coffee’ ad catapulted you to instant fame...how does it feel to be be still known as the Ericsson mobile girl?
There is no doubt that things would have been quite different if the Ericsson ad had not happened to me. I have been in the industry since many years, but I got noticed only after the ad. My friend, actor-director Anant Mahadevan once joked, “Ericsson has done for you what Rangeela did for Urmila Matondkar (Laughs).” Come to think of it, I almost didn’t do the advertisement.
You graduated to being known as Manisha in Saans...
Yes, Saans made me a household name. It was very strange. I would forget I am Manisha once the pack-up was announced. But wherever I would go, women would pull their husbands away from me. They thought I was all set to break everyone’s homes.
How did you analyse Manisha’s character?
I feel she was the most loyal of all the characters in the serial. Yes, she gets involved with a married man, but look at her committment towards him. Gautam is the one who was married and yet got involved with another woman. Manisha didn’t put a gun on his head, did she? Even Priya played by Neena Gupta almost gets involved with the teacher. So everyone has someone else in their life except Manisha. She was in love with Gautam and couldn’t see beyond him.
That’s a fair observation, but do you think viewers registered and understood Manisha’s loyalty?
The reaction to the serial, interestingly was divided. The older generation mainly thought of Manisha as a home breaker but the younger generation realised that Manisha was more faithful to Gautam than Priya.
What was the reaction from viewers abroad?
It was unbelievable, I have been more recognised abroad than in India. The NRI community watched Saans religiously. I remember, once I had gone abroad to visit my brother. We went to a restaurant owned by an Indian Sardar family and it would be frequented by celebrities like Janet Jackson and William Shatner. I was quietly dining with my brother and suddenly the owner recognised me and called out to his family. They were so excited to meet Manisha from Saans. Throughout the week I recieved royal treatment. They took me shopping and sight seeing; it was great.
Your brother can surely hope for special treatement at the restaurant now?
Yes, he was joking and telling me that he had been eating at the restaurant for years and the owner never gave him a second glance. But now, my brother is looking forward to recieving royal treatment (Laughs).
Did you always have the support of your family when it came to your profession?
They were terrified of my decision initially. Education was hugely important to my family. I was studying to become a lawyer when I broke the news to them. They were shocked but I explained that this is the best way I can express myself. Now , of course, they are very proud of me.
Currently your character Rewa in Kittie Party is recieving popularity... how did you land the role?
I was working with Manish Goswami in a serial called Aashirwad. He mentioned that he was contemplating a woman-oriented daily serial. I didn’t give much thought to it then. Several months later, he called and said the project was going to begin and offered me the role. The story, treatment and my role sounded very promising and I agreed.
What attracted you to the story?
I think the idea of portraying a group of spirited women and their lives, appealed to me immediately. As a spectator, I expect to see quality content. So, before I take up a project I ask myself if, I as a viewer, would like to see it.
How about Yes Boss...did you take it up as a recourse from doing serious roles?
Absolutely. I really wanted to do a comedy and Yess Boss came at the right time. It’s so much fun doing a comedy. We laugh more on the sets than when actually acting. I feel great to be accepted both in serious roles as well as comedy.
Yes Boss is watched by a lot of kids. How do you feel having kids as your fans?
It’s really nice. Recently I had attended a school function as the chief guest. The principal while introducing me spoke of all my roles but missed out Yes Boss. And you won’t believe this- the kids actually called out, Meera from Yes Boss! That was so sweet. But I disapprove of kids watching serials like Saans and Kittie Party. When Saans was on air, little kids would come for my autograph and I would think to myself, why is this kid watching Saans. I think I would make a very strict mother.
Whenever you have done a project, you come to be known as the character. As an actor, is that a blessing or a curse?
That’s a correct observation. When I did Saans I was known as Manisha, then I came to be known as the Just Mohabbat mother. And now people call me Rewa. I keep wondering if anyone knows my name at all! But I take it as a compliment. Recently, Delnaz Paul, my co-star in Yes Boss said,”I cannot imagine anyone doing the role of Meera other than you.” I was very touched.
So you’d say it’s a blessing?
I know I lose my identity whenever I play a character. Before Saans, I did a serial on DD where I played a Pakistani doctor. Even then I was known as Doctor Appa and not Kavita Kapoor. I definitely take that as a positive thing.
The downside must be, getting offers for similar roles?
Yes. I have recieved innumerable offers to play the Just Mohabbat mother or the ‘other woman’, but I refuse them. I do not want to play a role similar to what I am already playing. Now that Rewa is popular I am avoiding offers that are similar.
How do you feel whenyou get recognised?
It feels strange, to be honest. I always get surprised when I am recognised. When I go out to eat I often absent mindedly wonder why people are staring. I feel like a normal, working woman.
Is it easy to let fame go to one’s head?
I don’t know. I have continued my life the same way as I was living before. I still drive my own car, do my own work. Why do I need people to do things for me? I was doing all this before I became known. I don’t need to show that I am pampered.
What are your future projects?
There are a few in the pipeline, but I am superstitious. I don’t want to talk about them till things are finalised. All I can say is that the roles are very different from what I am doing currently.
Have you been offered film roles?
Plenty, but nothing that appealed. I don’t mind doing a small role but it should be important to the story. It shouldn’t be a role that just anyone can do. For example Kiron Kher’s role in Devdas was the smallest but everyone came out of the theatre talking about her performance. I’ve also been offered lead roles in a few arty films but so far nothing has interested me.
You seem very content doing television...
I am. Television has incredible scope and offers a huge range to an actor. I have done roles in serials that I wouldn’t have been able to do in 20 years in films. I have done roles that most top actresses have had the chance to perform. Just Mohabbat was such an imaginative serial. I played an 80-year old woman, a stammerer and even a ghost. In Saans, my character was layered as it is in Kittie Party. And then I play this comical mad woman in Yes Boss. For actresses, this range is impossible in films.
Do you feel success has come to you easily?
Not at all. I have been acting for longer than most people think. I had a very unconventional face and directors were apprehensive to take the risk of casting me. But I believe that, ‘what is meant to happen ...will.’
You seem very philosophically inclined?
I am, I think. I also read a lot.
I have a feeling you like quotes, do you?
I love them! Two of my favourite quotes are :‘Do on to others as others would do to you’ and ‘Under promise - over deliver’.