Cross Connection

Cross connection Courtesy : The Hindu

Mona Singh, better known to us as Jassi of "Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin", tells SANGEETA BAROOAH PISHAROTY that despite the serial's great success, nobody recognises her in real life.

Mona Singh dressed as Jassi in New Delhi. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt. 'HI, I am Jassi speaking,' model-turned-actress Mona Singh picks up her mobile phone thus. It is 9 p.m. on a week day and Jassi is right in front of you on the TV screen. "Sorry, Jassi has become so much a part of me that hardly do I feel we are different beings," she quickly corrects herself. On half-a-day trip to New Delhi, Mona is at the city airport, waiting to take off for Mumbai. Sitting in the middle of the crowd though, nobody stares at her, no one is rushes to her for autographs or snaps together or just to shake hands. After all, she is Jassi of Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, the flagship serial of Sony TV, who alone has given an alternative to the 'K' serials. "But I am not dressed up as Jassi now. Nobody recognises my real self," she reasons in that recognizable nasal tone. With an oversized pair of out of fashion glasses, in a long, extra-large salwar-kameez, with her hair tied at the back tightly, with braces on and with Nandu by her side, Jassi is quite a successful phenomenon now. But minus this make-up, Mona Singh is not Jassi and so not easily identified as so. "Whenever I go out with my friends in Mumbai, I feel good that I am allowed to behave like a normal being. Nobody chases me because nobody recognises me," she giggles. With her only sister coming down to Mumbai with her baby from New Zealand recently, Mona says she really had a good time. "Otherwise, most of the days, I am working for about 18 hours. It is a 24/7 job. If not shooting, I am dubbing and then to home to catch up on some sleep," she says. "But my family is really proud of my achievement. I could not have asked for a better break," Mona adds. Simple in thoughts, close to family, willing to work hard, she says, she is very much like Jassi.

"That is why I cross the line between me and Jassi so often," you quite understand what Mona means by it.