How is Parvarrish 2 doing?
The show has not picked up ratings, but it has a sensible concept -- everyday parenting issues. The emphasis right now is more on the kids than the parents. Hope the current track -- The Student Of The Year competition -- raises the numbers and we become a cult show like Season 1.
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Are you disappointed that the ratings are low?
If I fret over ratings, I will not be able to do my work properly. It is good that the channel is supporting the show; the fact that we crossed 100 episodes is an achievement in itself.
Your comeback show post marriage, Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara, also did not rock...
I agree, but my character was appreciated. The storyline, of an older woman falling in love with a younger man, was not run-of-the-mill. I did not want to return with what is selling on TV these days -- high drama, supernatural, fantasy etc. I want to do stuff which I can relate to.
Now that you are playing an on-screen mother, what do you feel about motherhood?
My husband and I definitely want to have babies, let’s see. But parenting is not going to be easy. Today’s kids are very smart, you need to bribe them to get things done. Also, social media is scary; parents must monitor what kind of content they consume. A lot also depends on what parents themselves watch.
You have been married for 5 years now (Sangita is married to Jaipur-based polo player Rajvi Shailendra Singh Rathore). How is it going?
We are still in the lovey-dovey phase of marriage. We are constantly in touch and share every single detail of our lives. Despite the distance, we keep the zing going. Sometimes he comes down to Mumbai to spend time with me or I fly to Jaipur for a week. It was he who encouraged me to take up Parvarrish 2 if the money is good.
How is it being a Rajasthani bahu?
My mother-in-law is my best friend. She told me, ‘If you have any issues with your hubby, come and tell me. I will straighten him out’ (smiles). Just how much she loves me can be gathered from the fact that despite being traditional, she lets me skip all the fasting rituals as I am not comfortable with them. I try to show my appreciation by agreeing to wear those heavy traditional Rajasthani outfits. Such small gestures matter a lot.
Coming back to the show, how is it working with teenagers?
Their energy levels keep us on the go. In return, we teach them professionalism. Also, the industry makes you mature fast.
How has the TV industry changed over the years?
Channels rule the roost now. Back in my heyday, we had great makers like Ajay Sinha, Lekh Tandon and Aruna Irani, who would concentrate on episodic stories. We knew what our character graphs were. Today, everybody is more interested in creating moments that sometimes don’t even fit in with the original narrative. A lot of people say things have become more professional, but there is a lot of work pressure. Gone are the good old days of four episodes a week, some shows are even telecast daily.
Which genre would you want to try your hand at?
I have not yet tried mythology and a full-on negative character.
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