By: Shaheen Parkar
May 24, 2005
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Interview of Pammi's Actress.
(of Des Main Nikla Hoga Chand Drama of Star Plus Channel.)
Photo:-
Sangeeta Ghosh
Dreaming big
My main criteria for accepting a role is that I have to like the
people I'm going to work with. The role comes next because basically
I want to feel free on the sets. I take life as it comes, and frankly
I am not at all a professional actress as yet.
Like any other middle class girl, Sangeeta Ghosh dreamed of getting
herself educated till graduation level and then settle down in
matrimony. But by the time she was in her teens, she had made a
splash on the television screen. And marriage obviously took a back
seat.
When some of the directors she had worked with appreciated her work,
Sangeeta decided to settle down in the acting arena. And with that
the "middle class dream" faded away. Initially, she was fascinated by
the trappings of the showbiz world - the name, fame, money and the
attention one gets at home and outside. Whether it was because of the
age factor or immaturity, she didn't take acting all that seriously.
She also felt that acting is a kid's job. But it was veteran director
Lekh Tandon who changed her thought and perception about acting. "He
made me understand that acting is a serious pursuit and if I didn't
take it seriously I will reach nowhere," recalls Sangeeta.
As a kid she used to participate in Durga pooja shows and it was
there that Hrishikesh Mukherjee's assistant, Arun Chakravarti,
spotted her and asked her to meet his boss. Sangeeta was then just 11
years old and when she went to meet the veteran director she was dead
nervous. "Hrishida asked me to cry and I became so nervous that the
tears just rolled down my cheeks," she remembers. Obviously she
passed the test as Mukherjee finalised her for a role in Hum
Hindustani that was telecast on Doordarshan.
Along with studies, acting went on as a hobby. She did Basu
Chatterji's two tele-films, Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Rishtey, a
few "horrible" morning and afternoon Doordarshan serials and Dheeraj
Kumar's Sansaar. In Sansaar, her role was small but as the serial got
innumerable extensions, the role grew in terms of footage. Then Lekh
Tandon offered her a bit role in Kurukshetra. But the serial that
brought her into the limelight was Daraar.
"Lekhji liked my work in Kurukshetra and offered me the role of Divya
Deth's sister in Daraar. And he assured me that by the time the
serial comes to an end I would by a highly recognised face on
television. That's exactly what happened. I just loved doing the
serial because it was a great learning experience," she gushes.
Another serial that she thoroughly enjoyed doing is the Lekh Tandon-
directed Adhikar. "I didn't have a major role in it but it was
definitely an interesting romantic character," she smiles.
There are some more tele-projects she has done like Prayschit, Suhana
Safar and quite a few stand-off episodes of shows like Ajeeb Dastaan,
Aahat, Saturday Suspense and Rishtey. And currently she appears on
the tele-screen in Pankaj Roy's Agnipath, playing an illegitimate
daughter of Shahbaz Khan who tries to take revenge against him.
She has also done about ten pilots, some of which like Mehndi Tera
Naam Ki and Dhoondo Dhoondo Re Sajna are sure to come on air. The
latter is slated for telecast on STAR Plus and Sangeeta is looking
forward to its telecast because it's for the first time that she is
doing a comedy show.
A pampered kid at home and a jovial starlet on the sets, Sangeeta
says her main criteria for accepting a role is she has to like the
people she is going to work with. "The role comes next because
basically I want to feel free on the sets," she giggles. The giggle
signifies a kiddish streak in her personality. "I take life as it
comes," she confesses. "And frankly I am not all that a professional
actress as yet."
Sangeeta doesn't believe in romantic alliances and affair but she
doesn't mind verbal flirtation. "As long as it's harmless, healthy
and within limits, it's fun," she giggles again. As far as the
showbiz people are concerned, she likes those who are good at their
work and gets easily influenced by them. She also likes getting
attached to "good" people "because that's how you make friends."
Of course she is happy doing serials but if you think she is totally
satisfied doing only serials then you have got it all wrong. She is
ambitious and highly interested in doing films as well. Only so far
there are no offers.
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Celeb Talk | ||
Sangeeta Ghosh: "I would prefer a live-in relationship to marriage!" | ||
She possesses the looks to kill and the oomph to set the small screen on fire, Sangeeta Ghosh better known as Pammi of 'Des main Nikla Hoga Chand ', is undoubtedly one of the hottest actresses on television. In a frank conversation with ShaadiTimes the spunky actress speaks on her career, marriage and live-in relationships. Acting is my passion I've always wanted to be an actress -- in fact acting is my passion. I am a trained Bharatnatyam dancer and feel acting is the best way to showcase my artistic talent. I started out on television when I was just 10 years old and Hrishikesh Mukherjee directed my first serial 'Hum Hindustani '. My other serials 'Daraar ' and 'Mehendi Tere Naam Ki ' (on Zee Tv), further established me as an actress. But it is 'Des Main Nikla Hoga Chand ' in which my role as Pammi has made me the popular face I am today. And though I've been in the industry for nearly 10 years, I feel that DMNHC was the high point of my career and I discovered my potential as an actress. I am tired of being a bahu on TV Now that I've become a household name, I don't want to do serials where my character gets lost in the crowd. I want to be remembered as a great performer and I am my biggest critic. As an actress I want to grow and do a plethora of roles, which satisfy my creative urge and help me evolve as a performer. Also, I am sick and tired of being a bahu on TV. Now I want to play a character, which looks realistic. I want to experiment with different kinds of roles; I would like to play a gray or negative character. Reel is not real You'll be shocked to know that I am completely different from Pammi in reality. I am an open-minded person and I live life on my own terms. I am candid about my feelings and possessive about people I love. I believe in the principle live and let live... but I'm a very romantic person at heart. Love is heaven 'Heaven' is the only word that sums up the meaning of the word love. There can be no other definition of the word for me. In fact, love, lust, passion and aggression all go together and they are all part of a relationship. Lust is very important in a relationship. It gives you the kick; it's a driving force that helps maintaining the freshness and the novelty of a relationship, while passion is another ingredient, which makes a relationship spicy and interesting. So, I guess every relationship has its own share of love, passion, lust and aggression. However, one must know how to handle it and deal with it in a matured and healthy manner. Marriage demands commitment
Marriage is the most beautiful thing created by God. In fact I feel that marriage is an extension of love. But the meaning of marriage has changed in today's cosmopolitan world. If you are married then it demands a lot of commitment, responsibilities and duties, and It requires a lot of adjustment from both the partners. You have to compromise a lot to make a marriage work. But, since I've been staying in Mumbai for a long time now and am in such a profession where people don't have the time to get married and settle down, I feel marriage is not a priority any more. It's become a secondary thing. Everyone is so busy that they don't have the time to think about their own lives, forget about marriage. So somehow, I am losing interest in the institution of marriage.
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Interview with actor Sangeeta Ghosh | ||
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Posted on 12 April 2003 | ||
Sangeeta Ghosh aka Pammi of the Star Plus' Des Mein Nikala Hoga Chand (DMNHC) was an extraordinary student in school. She would top her class and would lead in sports and dramatics as well. But a bookworm and a recluse she is not. Her reel existence in DMNHC is in stark contrast to her real existence. The seedhi-saadhi Pammi of the small screen tube dons trendy and sexy outfits in real life. In addition, she loves to perform mushy, romantic scenes! And she loves item numbers! Today, she would prefer a live-in relationship rather than a marriage! Sorry to destroy your illusions of a demure Pammi. Read on for her candid confessions on her life, and work in a honest tete a tete with Vickey Lalwani. | ||
When did your TV career flag off? | ||
Modelling? | ||
When did you get into television in a major way? | ||
Do you read any books on acting? | ||
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Is there a role on television that makes you go green with envy? | ||
What are your strengths as an actor? | ||
What are your weaknesses as an actor? | ||
Ever put your foot down about certain dialogues? | ||
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Do you demand to know the weight of your character before you sign on the dotted line? | ||
Ever goofed up a scene? | ||
How important are looks to you in a serial? | ||
The first episode of 'DMNHC' showed the lead couple, Varun and you, meeting each other in a rather filmi manner - the usual 'ched chaad', your hair getting tangled in the locket of his chain, he tying your almost backless choli... Was it embarrassing to do those scenes? | ||
Do you forget that you are Sangeeta when you become Pammi? | ||
Do you think that TV artistes are underpaid? | ||
Your co-star Varun of 'DMNHC' is leaving the serial, shortly. What if you have some scenes like these with the guy who replaces him? | ||
Is your personal life as exciting as your television life? Right now, there's nobody in my real life. But please don't think that I am an unromantic person. I'm a very romantic person and I would really like my man to woo me and give all his attention. In that sense, I'm really enjoying DMNHC as the character I play peps me up, it rejuvenates me. Going back, let me reveal that I have had my share of boyfriends. | ||
Boyfriends! Were those days fun? Oh, those were the days... In between work, I used to slip away in some corner and start chatting up with them. But on the flip side, there is a disadvantage too. It drains you. Today, I am more focussed on my work. | ||
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Don't you want to get married and settle down? | ||
How satisfied are you at this point in your career? | ||
But what? | ||
Is it easy for a TV actor to make it in films? | ||
How is it working with Aruna Irani at the helm in 'DMNHC'? I'm not so experienced that I can talk about her. But one thing about her, she really goads you on to do your best. She gives some amazing cues while shooting. When you see the scenes, you know how much those little things have highlighted it. In short, she can easily extract out from an artiste whatever she wants. | ||
Ram Gopal Varma is taking a keen interest in you. Right? Well, I have auditioned for one of his forthcoming productions. I am eagerly awaiting the outcome. To be honest, I am very excited. | ||
Game to wearing suggestive outfits if you get films? Sure. I would definitely wear a comfortable swimsuit. In fact, I did wear one in a TV serial Suhana Safar. Once you are in this line, you can't be rigid. Else, you'll be a big loser. |
"I will never be able to talk about sex with my mom" | |||
I arrive on the sets of Rabba Ishq na Hove, at Mariam villa in Madh, the first thing I see is a huge crowd that has gathered in front of the villa. And why not? A sneak peek at Indian television's most beautiful lady is worth all the effort --- come rain, hail or storm!
I catch a glimpse of this lovely lady, who has often been described by many as the oomph factor on Indian television, as she readies for a shot. Then the next minute, I watch her ragging her co-star, then we see her flinging her purse at her director playfully, we see her sharing a joke with the spot boy...but as the director says action, she comes up with the perfect look and emotion. There is no doubt about the fact that Sangeeta has the most fabulous figure in town, but frankly, she oozes a sensuality that comes through even when she is wearing a simple salwar suit. She speaks through her eyes, and there is this sincerity in her towards her profession that one cannot miss. "I am never satisfied. I am very interfering...soon I think everybody will be fed up with me. I want to know what I am doing...You know, the script and all," says Sangeeta, getting ready for her next shot. Much has been said about her relationship with her mentor, Aroona Irani, but Sangeeta prefers not to talk about it. "It takes people just seconds to create a mountain of a mole hill. Let me give you a logical explanation to all this. In films, you work on one project for a few months and then forget about it. Not so on television. Here, we have to work years on one show, so it is important that an artiste feels comfortable working in the unit and the case is vice versa. Aroonaji must have felt that I suit the character that she has etched out, otherwise why would she cast me? Anyways, I don't have to give anybody any explanations, I care a damn about what other people think, I am here to do my job," says Sangeeta with a laugh.
I understand her situation. The lady, unlike Veera, her character in Rabba Ishq..., stays with her family in Mumbai, and celebrity status must be tiresome sometimes. We ask her about the recent article in a popular gossip magazine about her alleged link up with her producer, the lady retorts, "They asked a question and I answered it," she says candidly. When the director calls for lunch, Sangeeta invites me to her room to share the Bengali lunch that her mother has sent for her. Out comes casserole after casserole, filled with Bong delicacies --- dal, chawal, mixed vegetables, fish and of course, rasagollas straight from Kolkata. As soon as she realises that I am a Bengali, she offers me her food and exclaims aloud when I refuse the fish --- "How can a Bengali refuse fish?" The sweets were the star attraction for the other cast members. One question that inevitably cropped up into the conversation, since I was talking to the gal who possesses the looks to kill and the oomph to set the small screen on fire, was regarding sex on the small screen. She answers me as if she were expecting this question any moment --- Does sex sell on television, are Indian serials regressive? Would a Sex and the City work in India? "See I don't know why we would want to ape the west. Our sensibilities are different. I will never be able to talk about sex with my mom. It is like that and it will always be like that. It is not about the fact that we haven't grown up or something, it's just about us being what we are," says Sangeeta. What about the promos of the show, they look really bold! "Yes, you know I don't mind doing it if they are aesthetically shot. Aren't the promos looking wonderful? I was in the lake for almost the whole day and I hoped that they would look good!" Sangeeta says with obvious pride. Attitude and loads of style, perhaps this describes Sangeeta Ghosh to the hilt. And as I bid adieu to her, she walks into the rain, ready for her shot, and somehow she leaves me with the feeling of eternity --- a sense of beauty and sensuality that will never fade with the setting sun. |
Aroona:Romancing the years |
She's into her 50th year in the Hindi film industry but actor-producer-director Aroona Irani would rather put the celebrations on hold as she says, "Arre, let's talk when I complete 75 years." Her exuberance is unmistakable as she readies for yet another show on television.
Called Rabba Ishq Na Hove (a one-hour weekly it will go on air on July 18) this show, like her earlier Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand is again heavy on love and romance. "I am a complete romantic and though I'm 60 today, I can still feel the passion" she says, a twinkle in her eyes.
Starring her favourite actors Sangeeta Ghosh and Varun Badola, the cast also features Nikhil Arya and Kiran Kumar. Speaking about the show she says, "Well, it's about how one shouldn't take love for granted. It's not a game, which people play. It's a serious matter. It's like fire - ya to aap us mein jal jaao ya phir us mein se nikhar ke aao.'
On repeating her favourite actor Sangita in most of her shows she says, "Why shouldn't I cast her? She's a good actress, a nice human being, a professional - she fits the script so when everything works in her favour, why not?"
Coming up next is a show called Aaj Phir Jeena Ki Tamanna Hai. "It's too early to talk about it though it would be again something to do with love. Romance can never go out of my life or shows," she signs off.
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TELE EXPRESS | |
Nitin Joshi | |
PRO-FILE: Pooja Ghai who has just returned to the cast of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thhi on Star Plus | |||
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Nitin Joshi | |||
Ludhiana, July 1: You know her as Priya of Kabhi Aaye Na Judai in which she has the lead role. Younger viewers would be able to place her as Princess Jasmine, Hatim's pretty girlfriend. That's Pooja Ghai for you, who just recently rejoined the cast of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi as Dakshaben's daughter Suhaasi back with the family after a stint abroad. ''I am more than happy to be on the show and so is Ekta who is a dear friend. And Kyunki Saas... is like a family to me. Even when I was not a part of it we were all in touch and would meet up at weekends. So it's nice to be back,'' says Pooja.
Pooja can also be seen in several commercials like Fair and Lovely, Livon, Godrej hair colour, Colgate, Ariel (the one with lots of kids). ''I have done about 75 ad films in about three years,'' she smiles.
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