New Innings - Rakshanda Khan (Mallika)

TELE EXPRESS

Rakshanda KhanRakshanda Khan

New Innings

She's taken guard and is ready to give Mandira Bedi competition at the crease. SONIA WAHENGBAM speaks to Rakshanda Khan about her new role

Rakshanda Khan

New Delhi, September 5: The journey of life has taken Rakshanda Khan to a different horizon altogether. The academically inclined English graduate from St Xavier's College, Mumbai, was interested in linguistics and wanted to be a journalist. Everything changed at college: she began modelling and veejaying and then anchoring shows. Her stint with acting started last year and now she has two popular shows on air — she 's the Satya Paul-styled Mallika in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin (Sony) and Tulsi's ideal wife for Karan in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thii (Star Plus). She also conducts a chat show on Sony — Ab Aayega Mazaa. If you notice her missing in action from Kyunki... or see less of Mallika in Jassi... don't worry, she is not leaving either. In fact, you will be seeing more of her, but on a different pitch. Remember the World Cup 2003 Extraaa Innings? The show that launched Mandira Bedi's 'cricket' career? Well, Rakshanda is now going to join Bedi at the crease for the ICC's Champions Trophy, beginning this week. She is there to provide the sidelights, something Maria Goretti did last time. </> </></></></>

Unlike Bedi, this lady possesses full gyan on cricket. While she says she's not ''a cricket fanatic'' she tries to keep up with the latest developments. ''Cricket is a religion in India. I like the game but am not such a fanatic that I will cancel a shoot to watch a match. But I manage to keep in touch because our colleagues keep discussing it at work,'' says Rakshanda. Her date with the game began in her childhood when there was more Test match cricket. ''During a Pakistan-India match, many a times I have chewed my toe nails and fingernails,'' laughs Rakshanda. Her best memory is the famous India-Pakistan match in 1986 at Sharjah where Javed Miandad hit the last ball for a six to win the match. Rakshanda thinks woman and cricket are a potent match. ''A lot of women are watching cricket. But I think viewership among women will increase with ladies stepping in and rubbing shoulders with cricket stalwarts, talking cricket pre-post-during matches,'' says the soap star. ''Anyway, we are there to add some lighter elements, fun and interest to the game with some off the field sidelights.'' She likes Team India but when asked to narrow down her choice, she selects Irfan Pathan. ''He is young, energetic, happening and coming up as a good all-rounder,'' says Rakshanda knowledgeably, ''The team needs more people like him.'' As for teams, after India it's Pakistan for Rakshanda. The lady is quite modest and unassuming. She enjoys the roles she's playing in her two shows because the characters are believable and close to reality. ''Mallika and Tanya are not dark characters. Every human being is not 100 per cent bad ya good. It is time and situation that brings out the good and bad elements in you,'' she adds, ''I am happy with what I am doing and owe everything to TV. I am where I am meant to be and would like to be.''

What about Bollywood? She's had offers, she says, but it's still a big no, no

I think that if Rakshanda steps into Bollywood, it will ruin her career. Granted that she is a top television actress, but it doesn't matter when you get into movies. She will have to compete with the likes of Aishwaraya, Preity, Rani, who have exceptional talent. She'll become just like the other new bollywood actresses out there who are still struggling to have a hit (i.e. a Diya Mirza or Esha Deol). Of course she has talent, but I don't think she has the look of a bollywood actress or that her acting caliber is enough to compete with the heavyweights in the industry. Rakshanda Khan is smart and she understands this, which is why she would rather be at the top of her game in the television industry rather than a mediocre/average film actress.