TV needs a breath of fresh air: Manasi Parekh

Pretty and talented actress Manasi Parekh, who rose to fame with Gulaal, now making a comeback to television with Star Plus' much awaited show Sumit Sambhal Lega.

Manasi took a long break from daily soaps post Gulaal and now she will be seen essaying the character of Maya on Sumit Sambhal Lega. TellyBuzz spoke to Manasi to know more about her character, the show and much more.

How did the show happen to you?

The show happened to me almost 10 months ago when they were auditioning for all the characters of the show. I have been a very big fan of Everybody Loves Raymond ever since I was in college so when I came to know about the auditions going on for this show, I became so excited and started hoping that they would call me too and they did! So many actors from the background of movies, theaters, ads were auditioning for the show. I auditioned too and I kept my fingers crossed because I didn't know what's going to happen. Steve Skrovan, the original writer of the show came down from LA, to set up the show and work out everything. He then finalized the cast along with the production house and the channel and that's how I got the role of Maya.

It took a really long time of 10 months for the show to launch. What was happening in this phase?

We have finished shooting 80 episodes as we didn't want to compromise with the quality of the show with its original series. We all have been working very hard on every department with a team of 3 directors. Its a very refreshing format.

An adaptation of any International series always comes with a baggage and a lot of expectations. How are you all prepared to cope up with it?

Only the idea of how a man gets stuck between his mother and wife has been adapted from the original series and we have tried to recreate the series in our own way. So, we don't have any baggage. We have maintained the quality and tried to make everything perfect.

How did you prepare yourself for your character?

We have done a lot of workshops and a lot of script sessions. In any other daily soap, it normally happens that we just get our character briefs and we start shooting but for this show, we have done a lot of mock shoots, script readings for almost 1 n a half months with our entire team including the directors and writers.

What you have been busy with during your sabbatical phase?

I wouldn't call it a sabbatical phase! I would say that I wasn't willing to do the normal things coming my way. I have always done works that stands out in some way. I was busy with my theater and traveling. I have done lots of shows in London and even Ben Judi Dench came to watch our play and she loved it. I have also been doing ads. I started my own production house - Soul Sutra, that has produced documentaries and commercials.

How is it going working for a sitcom?

I have always wanted to do a show like this, ever since I have joined television. It took me around 9 years to get a show like this. I feel things are changing now and content is being giving prime importance. The audience will enjoy a lot. All the actors are from theater background. Its very different from normal daily soaps.

According to you, what is the X Factor of the show which is making it different from others?

The writers of the show are the X Factor of the show. I would give full credit to them. We have the best writers on board for our show. Every episode is so funny that we all laugh aloud while we read the scripts. I am so lucky to work for something where I am laughing 12 hrs. a day. The USP of the show is writing which is very fresh. Secondly, the casting of the show and thirdly, the kind of treatment we are giving to it; its more like a live play than a show. Its very real and organic and its completely mad and crazy.

Do you also improvise on the script?

Sometimes we do! Satish Ji (Satish Kaushik) does a lot more improvisation than us and even Vikram (Vikram Kochhar) does. The humor comes out only if we do the scripts perfectly. Every second line is a joke or a punch line. So we make sure that we should do it like the way its written then only the humor comes out. We try to stay true to the script as much as possible.

What are your views about International series are being recreated in India?

Its good because we try to push things in our level technically. We are shooting with a 4 camera set up like we shoot in LA. There are no cuts in the middle so we are trying to push ourselves like that. That can only happen when you are doing a format show as they are strict about following rules. It is also giving rise to some original content on television which is very badly needed on TV. TV needs a breath of fresh air. Everyone is bored of same saas bahu sagas. We need a show which we all can sit and watch together.

What advice you would like to men to make a perfect balance between their Mom and Wife?

There is a saying - 'Two Lions can never be in the same jungle.' While dealing with two Lions, you need to be very patient and understanding. They should listen and react to the problems of both. They should make both of them feel special which is very important. Both the women love the man and they fight for the man so they need to make a perfect balance between them like this.

How has been the response so far?

The response has been very good. People are saying that its looking nice. They are finding it different and they are looking forward to the show. I have been receiving messages from the people who watch Star Plus in London, US and other places. They are happy to see me back on TV after Gulaal and they are hoping the show to be a good fun.


Anwesha Kamal