Exclusive Interview with Actress Reena Kapoor

Ranju Ki Betiyaan Has Given Me a Great Opportunity to Explore Myself as an Actress,Reena Kapoor tells Jyothi Venkatesh.

Why do you like to take a break between the shows you take up?

I kind of disappear because I am not craving to be on television back-to-back. I like to be choosy about my roles and like to take up a show when something really interesting comes my way or if it has been too long at home and I want to be back.

Have you said a complete good-bye to your film career?

Yes, I have, a very long time back. Mostly because the right roles weren’t coming my way.

And I also have heard you need a lot of contacts in the industry to get good roles which is outside my comfort zone. So, I am very happy and satisfied with my television shows

What is your role in Ranju Ki Betiyaan and what attracted you to it?

I am playing Ranju’s character. It is about this woman who has had undergone a lot of struggles in her life.

She gets married when she is very young and then has four daughters which according to her husband and the society is unfortunate.

So, her husband leaves her and gets married to another woman who can give him sons. It is Ranju’s struggle story on how she brings up her daughters without a man in the family.

She is trying to fight with the thought of the society that women cannot do anything alone

How easy was it for you to get into the skin of the character?

I wouldn’t say it was very DIFFICULT as it is something, we see around us and it is not a concept very alien to me.

Fortunately, I may not have experienced it but unfortunately, I have seen it around me. So no, it wasn’t DIFFICULT to get into the skin of the character.

How was it working with Ayub Khan?

Oh, it was fun. In fact, this is my second project with him. We have a wonderful chemistry even off-screen and we know exactly how much to give and take as an actor.

He is very down to earth and humble and a real genuine sweet heart. He is absolutely opposite to what he is playing on-screen.

Was there any workshop for the show?

There wasn’t any workshop as such but I did prepare for the role. As the show is based in Bihar, it was important to perfect the Bihari accent and slangs.

As my character isn’t literate, I am trying to add in my own bits to add to the authenticity of the character and live my character to the T.

How does it feel to be on a comparatively new channel like Dangal TV?

After I did Woh Rehne Wali Mehlon Ki, I have stopped believing in just a channel being the push for your show.

I feel, any show can do wonders when the content is good, there is a good team effort and everyone is dedicated and all other combinations are there, and it doesn’t matter in what channel the show is coming on.

Because many shows have come and gone in the bigger channels as well. And I feel with bigger channels you have more restrictions so I like working with comparatively newer channels as they give a sense of freedom to perform.

Any other projects in the near future?

Nothing else as of now. I am 100% dedicated to this show currently.

Which according to you are your best shows?

Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki has to be the first for me followed by Shakti — Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki.

Even though I had worked only for 6 months it was a very beautiful character. I think now Ranju Ki Betiyaan has over taken Woh Rehne Wali for me because of how strong the character is.

Do you think your potential as an actor has been exploited to the hilt by serials? Or you feel there must be better shows?

I think Ranju Ki Betiyaan has given me a character I was craving for. It has given me a chance to explore my own potential and I am surprising myself with it.

And sometimes, I also disappoint myself when I feel that I haven’t performed up to the mark. So, it is like a journey of searching my own self.

Are you happy with the way your career has progressed?

I am in general a very happy person. I don’t have very high ambitions so I tend to be happy with whatever comes my way.

Are you working on any web series now?

I am interested in acting in web series because they come up with very interesting subjects and very different stories but my only problem is that they are too bold and sometimes very sleazy too.