“I want to prove my versatility”

MUSKAN KHATRA

Towering 5’6”, the sprightly young actress is keen on proving her mettle not only in feature films but also TV serials

Jyothi Venkatesh

You began your career as an actress with the serial Savitri Ek Prem Katha!

Yes. It was a period drama which was on air on the channel Life OK. I played the role of the friend of the princess who sets out to protect her. I got the break thanks to a friend of mine who was the casting director for the show. Thanks to my stint as an actress in the show, I could learn a lot of nuances of acting, which even an acting class will not be able to teach you.

Why did you not wait for your break in films instead of making your debut with a serial?

It is not that I have not given auditions for films. I was not selected in some of the auditions whereas I did not like some of the offers to act in films that I got. I feel that it is better to accept the offers that you get instead of waiting for that offer which you may or may not get eventually because time does not wait for anyone.

You acted in Oha Lucky Lucky Oha (Telugu) too.

It was actually my debut when I was just in my 11th standard when I did not know the ABC of acting at all. I played an air hostess who was flirting all the time. It was easy because frankly speaking each and every one of us indulges in flirting at that age. I completed my B.A and then shifted to Mumbai in search of a career in films as an actress.

You also did a few episodes of the show Adalat.

Yes. I acted in a few episodes of the popular show Adalat in which I played the role of a tough cop. Though the show did fetch me a lot of recognition, it was the serial Jab Jab Bahaar Aayi which was on air on Doordarshan that I tasted stardom instantly. I played a negative role in the serial which was very similar to the role that Sushmita Sen played in the film Biwi No 1. The other actors who were part of the cast of the serial were Dolly Dhanoa and Chandan

How easy or tough was it for you to slip into the role of a negative character in the show?

Considering the fact that inside me there are absolutely no jhatkas and matkas which the role required me to do, I should say that it was not at all easy to get into the skin of my character in the negative role in Jab Jab Bahaar Aayi. I made it a point to watch movies which had a similar theme like Biwi No 1.

How open are you to appear in a two piece bikini or indulge in lip-locks in films?

In today’s times, you should be ready to appear in any kind of role, if you want to reach the zenith of your career as an actress. Though I am not at all game to act in vulgar C grade films, if a particular scene is presented by the director aesthetically in a decent manner in such a way that I can retain my dignity, I am ready to appear in a two piece bikini since I have the right figure to flaunt

Who are your favorite actors and actresses?

Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh .

What next?

I am eagerly awaiting the release of an untitled movie of mine directed by Avtar Sahani in which my co-actors are Anupam, Kher, Saurabh Shukla and Rahul Dev, besides Avtar Sahani who taught me how to face the camera and act in serials and films and also radio plays.