“I prefer to work with directors who understand the thin line between vulgarity and looking sexy, as far as films are concerned”

Jyothi Venkatesh

SHEETAL MAULIK, who plays the negative role of Kalyani in the show Pyar Ki Luka Chuppi on air on Dangal tells JYOTHI VENKATESH in this exclusive telephonic interview for bollyy.com and Mayapuri

How is Kalyani different from Sheetal?

Kalyani is totally different from Sheetal- literally 360 degree different. Kalyani is a negative character who thinks negative for each and everybody. She is self-centered; obsessed with herself and for her benefit she can harm anybody. And you know me well. I am totally opposite to how Kalyani behaves.

How tough or easy was it for you to transform yourself into that character?

I believe that every human has a good and a bad side to him or her. I think playing Kalyani gives me a chance to vent out my bad side. That’s what I can say. But yes, it was tough before to take up the character not only because it was a negative one, but because I am also required to add comedy to it. The language was the most difficult part for me to get into the skin of the character of Kalyani. While I am a Maharashtrian, I have to speak in Kanpuriya language for the character. I have never done a character which is UP or Kanpur based. So, the language was the most important and the toughest part for me. Other than that, the script is so good that I don’t have to put in much effort. I shoot for long hours and therefore it has now become a routine for me, as  I often end up speaking the language off-screen as well.

Did you think twice before saying yes to a negative character?

As an actor, I love to explore different sides of mine. I have played comedy roles and positive lead roles in the past and so playing a negative character was a challenge for me. And doing something challenging always intrigues me. My aim is to always do roles that are different. I feel, as an actor, when you do different types of roles, you explore a better you. By agreeing to play a negative character, I think I have leveled up my game of acting. I never had any second thought about playing Kalyani.

How many serials and films have you acted in so far?

I have done around 6-7 serials and 2 films. Right now, I am doing Pyar Ki Luka Chuppi. I have done Gutur Gu, Akkad Bakkad Bambey Bo, Sun Yaar Chill Maar, Prakriti etc on Doordarshan to name a few.

Out of these, which are your personal best 5 serials?

Among the five best are Netflix’s Tagore stories by Anurag Basu, based on Rabindranath Tagore’s book. I cherish every role that I have played till date, because every role is different. If I have to speak about comedy as a genre then Gutur Gu, if negative then of course Kalyani from Pyar Ki Luka Chuppi.If I have to speak about strong positive characters then it has to be Jeet Gayi Toh Piya Morey. I can’t segregate and choose because every role is different and special to me. I have given my 100 percent to each role and they are all very close to me. There is no best or worst series for me. I have played different parts and every serial has given me something different. Everything I have done till date is close to my heart.

Have you ever tried your hand in films?

I have done two Marathi films. I played the lead character in Kuni Mulgi Deta Ka Mulgi. It was a comedy film with Ashutosh Kulkarni in the lead opposite me. The other movie was Rahile Door Ghar Maze with Pushkar Shrotri. I have never tried my hand in Hindi films for no particular reason.

Is it because of your inhibitions towards glamour and exposure in films? Will you agree to do a bold role if offered?

I prefer working with people who are very good at their work and don’t require additional aspects to showcase talents. Honestly, I have never been offered such roles so I have not thought about it much. It has never come my way. But if I am offered someday, I will first look at how important the character is and who the director and cinematographer is. If they are amazing at their job, I need not worry, as they will understand the thin line between vulgarity and looking sexy. So, I prefer working with directors who will make sure not to make the cast and audience uncomfortable while the scene is shown. And my family is very proud of me for being an actor so I wouldn’t choose to do anything that lets them down.

Is this the first time you played a character role?

No, it is the second time that I am playing a character role. I had last played it in Jeet Gayi Toh Piya Morey. I took that role because it was absolutely wonderful. If my character was on screen, everyone’s attention was only on her. I accepted the role of even Kalyani for that matter, because I wanted to work with the production house. And she, as a part of the story, is as important as the leads are. I understand that I can’t play a 19-20 year old anymore and I have learnt to go with the flow. I make sure I play strong and important roles. I know for a fact that when people talk about Pyar Ki Luka Chuppi, they talk about Kalyani and that is all that matters to me.

How would you evaluate your growth as an actor?

I think I have really grown as an actor. I have started understanding the script better now. My dialect and acceptance of a character has improved. And it is only because I have chosen a learning path. As an actor, you can never have the I-know-everything attitude. The moment you do that, your learning and growth stop. And I am very glad and blessed about it.

Why do you think even though you have been acting for such a long time you have not got the kind of mileage that the lesser actors have managed to get media-wise?

For those things, PR is important and I haven’t thought that way for myself. Recently I have started to post some pictures on Instagram, or else I am always reading scripts. I am a classical dancer, I travel a lot, I do my shows, have a house to look after. I am not saying that because of these things I am away from limelight but I don’t attend many parties, I don’t do PR, and am kind of an introvert who reads a lot, watches different content on Netflix just to improve myself and learn many things. I study the director's point of view on how an actor should behave. I don’t give many interviews and may be because of these things I am not that much in limelight.

Which are the 5 directors you would like to work with in cinema or TV?

Imtiaz Ali, as I have watched ‘She’ on Netflix and loved it. I have worked with Anurag Basu once and I would love to work with him again. There is a Marathi director Sanjiv Kolte who taught me how to get into the skin of the character. I also like Prabal Baruah who directed Gutur Gu because his vision is absolutely wonderful.  I would also like to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali if I would get an opportunity.

What kind of roles would you like to do but hasn’t had an opportunity till now?

I have never played a blind woman. I have big eyes and to express emotions of a blind person with them will be very challenging. Every character is very challenging and playing a blind woman will be very different for me.

Does the fact that you are married come in the way of you getting good roles?

Absolutely no. My husband is the most supportive when it comes to work. He was the one after lockdown who told me that don’t sit at home, go to work because you are good at it. Even my daughter supports me. I have full support from my family. There was a time after lockdown when I started shooting and my father was not here and my 7-year old daughter was all alone from 10:30 in the morning till 8:30 pm and she never complained. When I used to call her, she told me not to worry and she was fine. If people think I am not getting roles because I am married it’s their point of view. When I am working, I give my 100% to every role.

How challenging is it to strike a balance between managing home and career?

It is challenging, of course. But one thing that I have learnt after my child was born is time management. If you can manage your time properly you can do anything in the world. This is what I believe. I shoot; I cook my own food and do my own house chores. I also have my own business. I make handmade jewellery. Of course, there are some drawbacks that you cannot meet your friends often or go to parties when you have dual roles to play. But, if you want to be a working mother, yes absolutely you can do it with good time management with the support of your family.

In what way has the working pattern changed over the years?

Yes, there is a difference in the working pattern and ethics have changed but we have to go with the flow. I can see a producer's point of view because I have also produced a serial and I know how much dedication and hard work is required and there are lots of struggles to make the show work. In today's time, it is important to know what you are working on, what your role is, who your writer is, etc.

Many things are dependent on that as well. But I think I am happy with what I am doing right now. The character of Kalyani has been etched in a strong way and also placed very well. We also have to go with the flow. There is obviously a lot of difference in what Amitabh Bachchan used to do before and what he is doing now. I am sure he also noticed that but then too he is doing it and we are nothing in comparison, as we have to do better. As he was also working then and now, I also should do it. Amitji is the only actor who has survived now and I am inspired by that.