RAKSHANDA KHAN
Actor Rakshanda Khan returns to Television after a gap of 1 year with the character of Kusum in Rajshri Productions Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Aangan Hoga airing on Sahara One. In a candid chat with us, the actor talks about her brief break from TV and lots more…..
You are making a comeback to television after a gap of one year. What were you busy with?
This is not my comeback. I am just doing a serial after a gap. Thankfully, I am one of those lucky people who has an alternate career. I have an event management company, so when I am not shooting, I have a proper nine-to-five job to attend, where I go to office and interact with people. It’s unlike my shoots, where I am supposed to take orders, here, I throw my weight around and give orders! Despite that, it’s more relaxing to be shooting, as you are taken seriously after having been around on screen for some time now. Besides, as the head of your firm, you are responsible for every one, whereas while shooting you are not even responsible for the shot you give. It’s the director, who has to approve. So, yes, life is so much easier on the set.
How does it feel to be once again in front of the camera?
One of the major reasons for me to take up the role was the production house. I had heard so many incredibly nice things about them that I actually wanted to work with them out of curiosity. I would have agreed even if they had offered me a miniscule bit. However, I was destined to do good roles, and that’s why when they offered me this role, which is interesting and a layered one, I took it up immediately. The first scene that we shot for was easy as it focused on my feet! Indian television mein ek pratha hain,Ki jab bhi ek naye character ki entry hoti hain, usko ek bada sa build up dete hain. My last full-fleged show was Ammaji Ki Gali, which was a year ago. In between, I did Phulwa and some cameos. So actually, I have not been away from television for a long time. I do not think, I will be able to stay away from it, since everything that I have in life is because of television.
Do you find any changes in the industry?
Yes, a lot has changed on television. Six to seven years ago was considered to be the golden period of television. Actors ruled the scene then; and they dictated the hours they would work, but the tables have turned now. And I think this change is good for the industry because everything is more organized now. Actors have realized that they are not indispensable any more.
The trend in the industry is that after a certain number of episodes, the story takes a generation leap. But in Jhilmil Sitaaraon Ka Aangan Hoga on Sahara One, the character that you play has been introduced after 200 episodes. How is it going to make a difference to the story?
There’s already a set equation between people and they have already established chemistry between all the actors. Now there has to be some factor that comes in and causes an upheaval, it will shake the audience a bit. A new twist or character becomes a catalyst to prevent a story from stagnating as equations keep changing. The character that I play in the serial does just that — shakes up established relationships and adds zing to the story.
Can you tell us more about your character, Kusum in Jhilmil…?
Kusum might be sugary sweet on the face, but then appearances can be deceptive. She might have an ulterior motive, but that doesn’t make her bad. There are different levels to her. She is a business woman, and has a connection with the protagonist and his family which will be eventually revealed. Although she has become a part of the family, she has an agenda, which could be good or bad. It all depends on how the story will eventually unfold.
One got the impression that Kusum may be the one, but you say, that one can expect something good from her, a sort of gray character…
How many of us are born with a halo on our head? Or for that matter, a devil’s horn? Even the most horrible people have a nice side to them. So why can’t a television character have that?
What’s your criteria for accepting a role?
I always consider how much backbone the character has-whether the character has-whether the character has the strength to hold its own after the first few episodes, or fade away. The character should make an impact, even if it is a short cameo. The biggest example that I can cite is of an ad which had Aamir Khan, Ritu Chaudhary and Aishwarya Rai. It was a one-minute campaign, but people only remember Aishwarya Rai. And all she does in the ad is say, ‘Hi i’m Sanju.’ If a role can make an impact on people’s mind, I will definitely do it.
For further details, please contact:
Atul Malikram
9827092823