“VIRGINITY IS OVERRATED IN TODAY'S TIMES”

PHALGUNI PARIKH

Though she stays at an arm’s distance away from my house in Charkop, Phalguni Parikh who is seen these days in the re-run TV show on DOORDARSHAN -Shree Krishna as Draupadi confesses in this exclusive e-mail interview to JYOTHI VENKATESH for bollyy.com and MAYAPURI that she does not sympathize with those girls who cry wolf after years about #Me Too syndrome,

How tough or easy was it for you to play the role of Draupadi in Ramanand Sagar's serial Shree Krishna?

Playing Draupadi can never be easy for any actress. And I was no exception to the rule. But papaji late Ramanand Sagar made it extremely simple for me. I clearly remember when I took my screen test he just explained in a few sentences what he wanted as a performer from me. He said you are an educated girl and you know whose property is. So I am not going to explain the character of Draupadi to you but it will only say that I want to check your intensity of performance. And believe me my screen test went off as smooth as silk. And after that I could express myself very easily and my directors Anand Sagar and Moti Sagar really helped me reach that high

Were you scared that you may be compared to Rupa Ganguly who had played the same role in B R Chopra's serial Mahbharat?

To be very honest I was never pressurized because of Rupa Ganguly portrayal as Draupadi in Mahabharat.

How did you get your break as an actress?

My break as an artist I would say started with Doordarshan, but the much needed commercial break was given by Zee TV

Tell me about your days as the host of the popular cookery show Khana Khazana?

Khana Khazana was a short but a beautiful experience. I am proud to say that the show was started by me. Laxmi Laroia of Zee TV wanted me to host the show and I met the great chef Sanjeev Kapoor on the show. He was a wonderful guest on the show and a very nice human being. The producer of the show Hansal Mehta gave me a free hand to host the show. I feel so good that it has become a cult show in cookery.

You had also acted in a popular weekly TV serial. Tell us about it.

Hum Paanch, Jai Hanuman, Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand, besides Shree Krishna. As you know earlier the serials were weeklies only. The daily soaps started much later. But yes shooting for weekly shows was very comfortable and less stressful. At the same time I could work with good experienced directors who took a lot of initiative to groom good actors.

Was acting in your mind since childhood?

Not really. But I was very much sure that I wanted to be in front of the camera. I was a cinema watcher but never crazy about it. But in my mind as a young viewer I could absorb and understand the performances of great actors and directors.

Why did you want to be an actress?

I really can't answer this that I really want to be an actress or not. As I said I always want to be in front of camera. But the same time I never ignored my studies or sports during my school days. In my college also I was always known as a library worm. It was my primary goal to get education first and then do whatever I wanted to do in life.

To what extent do you believe in destiny?

I believe in destiny to a great extent.

Do you think luck is just an excuse for those who lack talent?

If anybody is crying over luck continuously, I’d call him or her only an escapist. I have never taken that root. I am not in very comfortable position to comment that people who lack talent always talk about luck. But yes to a great extent instead of working hard on one's own self with determination it is wrong on the part of people to say that they could not set out to achieve what they wanted to because of bad luck.

Were you not scared of casting couch? Did you have any bad experiences? How did you ward off that person?

No not at all. I have not faced any such casting couch issues.

Who are your favorite actors and actresses?

The list is very long but I'll mention just a few like Madhubala, Nutan , Asha Parekh, Shammi Kapoor , Dev Anand, Sanjeev Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Rishi Kapoor ,Aamir Khan , Rani Mukherjee, Kajol and Alia Bhatt.

Which are the directors in your wish list?

Undoubtedly the only filmmaker who I admire a lot and is on my wish list is

Mani Ratnam

Is virginity a virtue in today's times or do you think that it is overrated?

Yes. Virginity is overrated in today's times. When a relationship happens with mutual consent this matter does not exist anywhere. And it is extremely personal and differs from woman to woman. The biggest problem is the thinking of our society. Indian orthodox society has always taught a woman that purity is the best gift that she can give to her husband. Now with time, the perception has to evolve. And I don't get much into these kinds of controversies.

Would you consider it a compliment if a man calls you sexy?

It all depends on who says it and how he says it. But certainly I feel it's a compliment

What kind of men put you off?

The ‘bakbak’ kind of men put me off completely

What is your take on #MeToo syndrome?

The Me Too syndrome is different with urban girls and small town girls. The urban girls are more sensible as well as goal oriented and they know what they want in life and career. So I don't sympathize with these girls who cry after years about #MeToo. I can slap a person and come out of the room be whatever my situation in life and career.

Are you open to acting on TV and the web too?

I am only a television actress and I had acted in just one web series. I want to take up more offers to act in web series. It's a beautiful medium and the content made for the web is absolutely amazing and challenging.

How would you describe yourself as a person?

I am a self disciplined and reasonably honest person with a lot of hard working virtues.

What is your view on lesbianism and homosexuality today?

I seriously can't comment about lesbianism and h************ as I have a different mindset. It's very relative. They may find us very strange like we find them very strange.

How comfortable will you be to indulge in exposing your body and indulge in wild passion in bed or appear in a bikini and do lip to lip kisses as an actress?

I am a professional actress and if the scene demands I can ready to professionally execute the same and have absolutely no qualms about them.

Will you opt for a love marriage or an arranged marriage?

Definitely marriage is something which is out of my cards

What is your opinion about a live- in marriage today?

The live-in is almost the order of the day. It depends on couples who opt for the same.

A known actress had stated that she uses her nude body as a tool for her craft as an actor. Do you agree with her?

It is her take on her body. Since I'm into simple television acting this does not fall into my area and hence I cannot say anything about it.

What are your forthcoming projects?

To tell you the truth, ever since the corona Virus set in, I have said No to three projects as I do not want to commit myself to any project at least till December this year, since I want to play absolutely safe.