“With glamorous looks, you get typecast in mostly negative TV roles” insists virtual ‘Quarantine Queen’ model-actress Jaswinder Gardner

Chaitanya  Padukone 

Vivacious glam-model-TV star and movie actress Jaswinder Gardner has made waves in  either some Hindi movie ( like ‘Rowdy Rathore’ , ‘Ready’ and ‘Shootout at Wadala’ ) or in one of the popular TV shows ( like ‘Ek Deewaana Tha’ and ongoing Yehh Jadu Hai Jinn Ka ) and connected  with her  riveting performances. But not many are aware that  Jassi or Jazz, as she is fondly called, was originally Jaswinder Sachdev, an eminent qualified fashion-designer who gave it all up when she got married to this debonair Merchant Navy Officer ( Frank Gardner) and later decided to ‘face’ the camera.

The multi-faceted Jaswinder who is also an entrepreneur, a social activist, image consultant and a motivational speaker, was recently adjudged the ‘Quarantine Queen’ amidst tough competition from amongst a large number of married Indian and NRI home-makers The otherwise busy Jaswinder, proposes to organize an ‘on-line short-films-festival’ with eminent celeb-jury-panel by November this year. She snatched time off from her shooting schedule to speak exclusively to bollyy.com and Mayapuri . Excerpts from the candid conversation : 

 

How was it winning the  ‘Quarantine Queen’ title,  being-at-home during the lockdown ?  It was a super-exciting victory-empowerment  after all that hectic pressure where I had given my 200 per cent .  Something unique and first of-its-kind  virtual beauty pageant for female homemakers and ladies contestants-provided they were legally ‘married’. Besides, I learnt to  ‘edit’ daily assignment-videos that we had to send. During that period I already happened to be in Deolali ( where our family resides),  away from my Mumbai suburban home. Hence I had ‘not’ carried with me, most of my make-up stuff and glam outfits  It was a challenge to mix, match and re-use my own old give-away clothes ( stacked in a bundle) and managed to look my best. My fashion-designing skills and experience helped me a lot  All my ardent fans, and of course my family felt so proud of me, when I was finally declared the ‘Queen’.  

Would you consider the ‘quarantine’ phase --a blessing-in-disguise  ?                                          Everyone has bravely endured the restrictions of the stay-at-home and  social distancing norms, while also being anxious-tense while taking preventive anti-corona care. So true, the quarantine lockdown proved to be a blessing-in-disguise. Besides winning the unique contest, I got to complete my on-line course whereby I got certified as an ‘image consultant’, but it was also a ‘learning experience’  and an accomplishment. The positive side  of the lockdown is that I could spend so much  ‘quality-time’ with my husband and young kids and learnt cooking  many more recipes.. 

You were well-appreciated for playing Maadhvi,  (actor Amar Upadhyay’s screen-wife) with a chic look in ‘Ek Deewaana Tha’ ( Sony TV)  who is a tipsy alcoholic, most of the time .Was it  tough to play that high-spirits character ?                                                               Hmm, yes people loved my performance as glam-chic lady Maadhvi is also a nice, soft person.. It was a challenging role to play an alcoholic, because in real-life I am teetotaler and do not consume liquor. In total contrast to this glam-role, I have played this seedhi-saadhi Punjabi behenji ‘Dolly’ in TV show ‘Kaleerein’ and as Rani ‘Kaushalya’ in the mytho- show ‘Ram-Siya Ke Luv Kush’  

 

With glamorous looks , you get tend to be typecast in negative, bitchy TV roles—isn’t  that right  ?   That’s quite true. Since I have this glam-hottie look , I was offered  so many negative-shades characters, which I had to decline. Being a versatile actress, I do not wish to be typecast. So for three years I had taken not taken up new roles because they were all negative offers.. This is a sad part of  our TV industry and they should realize that ‘even glamorous females can play positive roles’. 

You are known for  your passion towards social work missions. Comment.

Off-screen, I am super-positive and believe in generously giving much more than receiving . As a social influencer and motivator I am  actively associated with the Organ Donation Campaign and Save Water Campaign. During lockdown it has been observed, that a lot of water  is being wasted with running water on taps,even  when not required. It’s a criminal waste, because at an all-India level, there is an acute scarcity of water  . So with the help of other popular celebs, I have made videos on how to effectively  ‘save precious water’ .

Have you faced problems due to star-tantrums or nepotism  in Bollywood ?

Of course,  I have faced  tantrums and I been victimized, because apparently  I used to be ‘envied’ by certain ‘insecure’ prominent actresses. . Nepotism does exist, but I don’t really bother about these things, because I know I am a self-made celeb-actress .Frankly, I have never gone out-of-my-way appealing for work or never compromised on my principles. My policy is forget past-negativity and keep moving on—there is so much more waiting for you.