“I Am Actually My Own Biggest Critic”

RISHINA KANDHARI, who plays the character of Imarti in the TV serial Aye Mere Humsafar tells JYOTHI VENKATESH in this exclusive e mail interview for bollyy.com and Mayapuri

What is your role in Aye Mere Humsafar?

My role in Aye Mere Humsafar is that of a girl called Imarti Kothari who is very chulbuli, mastikhor and very effervescent and the moment she enters the frame, everybody is happy to see her. I would say, she brings life to a dull scene. . Imarti is a very integral part of Aye Mere Humsafar. She speaks a different dialect. It is the first time ever that I am playing such a role in my career. I am speaking a different language altogether in this show - marwari Rajasthani. I had no previous experience of speaking in this language, but, Neelu Vaghela who is playing my mother in law on screen and our director Dharmendra Sharma, both help me with the dialect. Before shooting the scene, I sit with them with my lines and try to listen to them speak.

Because, it is very important to not just improvise just by reading the lines. It would not make sense to just read lines without understanding the pronunciation of the words. They are like my teachers on set. There is a lot of hard work put in for doing Imarti’s character and the character is developed in such a way that the audience is going to enjoy watching her and she is going to add a lot of masala to the show because I feel without Imarti there’s no fun in the show. It is definitely going to be a serial that is going to teach me a lot of things. I am open to all the praises and criticism. But praises more because I am really working hard on my character and I really want the audience to love it. I am in love with my character .Aye Mere Humsafar is an inspiration to all the women who look forward to achieving their dreams.

Are you playing a rural girl?

No.Though she is from a small town and is a little less educated than other people in the house, she comes from a background where her family members have traditional values. She drapes her sari in a traditional style. She loves wearing jewellery and since the family is financially well to do, she can afford to buy expensive jewellery and saris. Imarti looks like a typical bahu. One will always see Imarti dressed up in gaudy attire with a lot of jewellery and makeup. Her way of speaking is also different as compared to others in the house. That actually makes Imarti stand out.

Is Imarti a gullible girl who gets treated like a doormat?

No. She is a very smart girl. She might use someone as a doormat for herself, but will definitely not become a doormat. She is not a damsel in distress. She is a very fun-loving character. Soon the viewers will get to see some twists which Imarti will bring to the show.

In what way is Rishina different from her on screen character of Imarti?

Rishina is very simple but Imarti on the other hand is too gaudy. Usually I don’t put on so much makeup nor wear gaudy dresses. I am a very simple woman at home also while Imarti is totally opposite. Imarti is too talkative as compared to Rishina. Rishina talks only when asked to, and prefers reading a book with a cup of coffee. Imarti is a non-stop talker. Imarti is very mischievous and loves teasing people. She keeps doing something or the other to irritate people while Rishina is very calm and quiet. There are a lot of differences yet some similarities between them because both are very fun-loving, peppy and effervescent. We are similar yet different.

Which was your first serial and in which year?

I started with small episodes of CID when I was in college. I had a lot of friends who were working in the industry and I was looking forward to act. Later, I did Shapath and Rishton Se Badi Pratha, which was my first ever proper daily soap. Then I did a couple of other serials like Naa Aana Iss Des Laado, Uttaran, Diya Aur Baati Hum etc. I did Crime Patrol as a cop cum anchor, after Anup Sony stopped anchoring it.

Does this mean that even though comparatively you are a newcomer, you are an experienced veteran?

I wouldn’t like to call myself a veteran because I am still learning. I have seen actors with tremendous talent and haven’t reached there as I am still new to those things. But whenever I get an opportunity to learn something, I grab that with both my hands. So yes, I have got a chance to do good shows with people, and was lucky that way. Hence, you can call me a little experienced.

Which according to you are your 5 best shows?

Diya Aur Baati Hum has to be first as I was playing a cop. I actually got a chance to learn martial arts. I performed all my action sequences on my own. I also got trained to shoot a gun as I give my best in whatever I am doing. Then Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai was loved by the audience. Isharon Isharon Mein, my first show, RishtonSe Badi Pratha and last but not the least Aye Mere Humsafar.

How different was it to anchor than to act in Crime Patrol?

It wasn’t very difficult as such but a lot of technical words and the language of the cops that was used while anchoring; it was very different from acting.

When you look back at your journey, in what way do you think you have grown as an actor?

I have come a really long way from where I started. Even though during my first show people complimented me for my acting, I think no actor is at his best at any point and time. There is always scope for learning. I feel the moment someone says that I am the best in something, his or her downfall starts . Acting is actually reacting. You should know how to react when the person opposite to you improvises even a bit. And that’s how I work. I only react to the situation and my fellow actors and I think that’s why it comes as natural.  I am going to continue my journey of learning.

Do you mean to say that you are never going to be complacent as an actor?

No sir, there is a lot to explore for me. I am actually my biggest critic. Even if the scene is perfect and everyone around is praising me, I somehow find the smallest mistake and it sticks in my head.

Are there any other shows that you are doing?

Working on TV can be very time consuming, you cannot focus on anything else. Like right now if I am doing Aye Mere Humsafar that means almost 15 to 20 days I am busy shooting and I have to be more focused towards my character than anything else. I have done multiple shoots at a time, in the past. I did manage to shuffle between the characters but it became so stressful so I look forward to doing one show at a time now.

Why are you limiting yourself to TV and not exploring cinema?

I am very lazy (haha) and TV is easy. But I have done a few films too. My first film was Ek Villain. Riteish Deshmukh tries to kill me and Sidharth Malhotra comes and rescues me. I did Saheb Biwi aur Gangster as well. Also, I did a movie called Lupt (2018) in which I played a ghost. Touch wood by God’s grace whatever has come my way I have always welcomed it and I never said no to anything. I definitely have not reached out to people to ask for work. Maybe if I would have been more motivated and more into the game I would have done much bigger than what I am doing right now. I am a very simple person and the delusions of cinema or film Industry do not appeal to me. I am very happy doing my bit of whatever comes my way naturally.

Were you ever scared of the syndrome of the casting couch in films or TV?

Touchwood, I have never come across any casting couch experience in the industry and wouldn’t be able to answer that. I am very clear in my head and I know till what limit I can go ahead to get my work done. I am clear in my head that I wouldn’t want to get into any of these gimmicks. I am in my own happy zone and as an artist I am happy with whatever is coming my way.

Are you open for web series?

I am open for web series but not at all game for any bold content. I come from a very traditional but open-minded, well-educated family. My family is very happy to see me work in this industry.

Are you a natural actress or a director’s actress or an intuitive actress?

I am a mixture of everything. I am a very natural, intuitive director’s actor and don’t force myself to enact into any kind of role and I just go with the flow. I try to understand the character first. If Imarti is a character, then I think of what she would be like in real life. I imagine one character in my head and then try to improvise and ask my director if what I am doing is correct or not. Once he gives a go-ahead, I continue working in that style.

When did you become an actress?

Believe it or not, I became an actor after my daughter turned 4 and half years old.

Who are your favorite actors and actresses?

That's a very tricky question because I like so many things in so many people. If someone does something great and if some actor doesn't perform something great then that becomes tricky for me to choose my favorite actor. But I would say I like Aamir Khan. I consider myself lady Aamir Khan. I like myself to be perfect in whatever I do. I like Kriti Sanon. She is pretty natural, good, very bubbly and natural.

Which are the film directors in your wishlist?

I have a very long list of people who I want to work with. Rakesh Omprakash Mehra is on my No1. With Mohit Suri, I would like to work once again. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Raj Kumar Santoshi and Raj Kumar Hirani are on my list too. Once upon a time I was a huge fan of art cinemas and used to like Vishal Bharadwaj’s dark films. But all those are the phases of an actor. If we see something great, we feel like to be a part of it. I remember I liked Omkara and wanted to be a part of that. I want to do only meaningful films. I don't want to get involved in any big jigsaw or jazzy stuff.

Are there any cat fights on the set of Aye Mere Humsafar?

Thankfully we all gel up very well, Touchwood. We are like one big family and all eat food together on the sets like good friends. There are no bad vibes on the set. I have worked with Pooja and Neelu ji before. I have also worked with Vaishnaviji, with Urfi also I have worked in the serial called Meri Durga.  Tina is such a sweetheart. All the females in the show rock and I think this show will be a huge success because there are only good vibes on the set and everybody puts in hard work.