Mouli Ganguly: Most Indian Television Shows Of Today Have A Shallow Script

TV actress Mouli Ganguly, who has an array of memorable characters to her credit, is now entertaining audiences in their drawing rooms with her power-packed grey shade act in Jamai Raja. The actress, who shot to fame as Shaina from Ekta Kapoor's Kaahin Kissii Roz had became a household name alongside Tulsi (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi), Prerna (Kasautii Zindagi Kay) and Parvati (Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii). Those were some of the K-Shows of Ekta which ruled Indian television.

SpotboyE caught up with Shaina aka Moulli at her plush Andheri apartment for an exclusive chat:

From Shaina (Kaahin Kissii Roz) to Payal (Jamai Raja), how do you see your journey?
Interesting and long, and I am grateful to the TV industry.

After Kaahin Kissii Roz, we haven’t seen you in a popular lead role...
I have done a few shows like Sakshi, Athva Vachan to name a few--- but none of those had me in the lead.


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And your character in those shows didn't become even half as popular as Shaina in Kaahin Kissii Roz...
In today’s times, I don’t think you can have a show with 2-digit TRP. There is immense competition. I am happy to have been a part of that boom period. The kind of hype I experienced is unmatchable.

Recount those days...
We used shoot round the clock and my hairdresser and stylists would come and tell me: ‘Maam, apka hoarding laga hai’. I used to step out and feel the frenzy (pauses).

Go on...
Trust me, I didn’t even want to do a daily soap. I was happy doing advertisements and hearing stories of actors fainting and being hospitalised due to tight schedules, I thought ‘mujhse nahi hoga yeh sab’. Then one day, Ekta happened to tell me that dailies are going to become very popular. I loved acting, so I thought of giving it a shot. That’s how I took the plunge.


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Didn’t Ekta offer you any other lead role after Kaahin Kissi Roz?
I did a negative character in Ekta’s Kya Huaa Tera Vaada. I didn’t want to be typecast as the girl-next-door protagonist. I felt it would be boring. And most importantly, the scripts in most Indian television shows are very shallow. So, it was my conscious decision to stay away from repetitive stuff.

Are you in touch with Ekta?
No, Ekta was the producer of some of the shows I did. If she finds me fit for a role and I too feel the same way, I don’t mind working with her again. But we are not in touch and she is not my best friend. However, I must say that she has been a good producer.

What have you to say about the recent fixation on Indian television about transforming humans into creatures?
Yes, I have seen a lot of such tracks (laughs). I have really nothing to say about it. Let the channels and audience decide if they want to make more such shows and watch them.

What changes have you seen in Indian television?
More shows and more actors, that’s it. I find 24 quite edgy and exciting. That's about it.

Coming to the recent crop Indian TV bahus, none of them has become a household name...
I think more than bahus, India needs good shows. I have loved watching shows like Fauji, Circus, Banegi Apni Baat, Office Office, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. These shows remind you of good writing and they had a stamp class written all over it. In recent times, I haven’t come across any show which has a soul or script.

Do you think that the young audience is more interested in web series?
Yes, it is difficult for them to connect with the current Indian serials. I have my friends and cousins who don’t give a damn about which show I am doing. They are more interested in updating me about a new web series.

You and Mazher (husband) are Yoga enthusiasts...
I have been into yoga for quite some time now. I am not a gym person. For the past two years, I have got a cool yoga guru Ajinkya Meher and I have been enjoying it. Initially, Mazher wasn’t interested initially and thought yoga to be a girl’s thing. But I made him attend a class one day and since then, he too has been enjoying it.

Does that strengthen your bond with him?
Of course, because we work out together and it's fun.


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How has your married life been?
It has been great. Mazher has been a best friend always. Before I have said anything, he has read my mind. He understands the pressure of doing TV shows. Friendship keeps our spark alive.

Are you planning to extend your family?
(Laughs) God will decide!

Let's conclude this with the weirdest rumour you heard about yourself?
Sometime ago, I read that I had got a lip surgery done. I didn’t even know something like that existed.


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