"The Alchemist changed my life completely" - Ridhi Dogra

Telly town's young actress Ridhi Dogra Vashisth, who garnered a lot of appreciation for her much-loved character Damyanti on Life OK's popular show Savitri is quite fond of reading books in real life.

In conversation with the petite actress, we found out that the beautiful actress likes to spend her leisure time reading books. Let's see what does this book-lover has to share with us about one of her hobbies... 

Are you a book-junkie?

I'm absolutely a book-junkie but I love collecting books more than I love reading them.

Are you an avid reader from the very beginning?

No, I haven't always had a fondness for books all my life. However, I developed a liking for it just after I completed my higher studies. After I left Delhi and came down to Bombay, my friend circle changed subsequently. I had to be on my own, so I just happened to begin reading all of a sudden, as I wanted to utilize my time productively.

When do you read books the most?

I prefer to read books when I'm absolutely free and I have ample of time. Earlier, I used to spend the entire day reading books. But ever since I'm married, I generally pick up a book while I'm traveling or when I'm free on the sets.

How long does it take for you to complete reading a book?

Well, it actually depends on the book. If the book is really interesting and keeps me hooked to it, I can finish reading it in just two days. But if the story is not appealing and doesn't grab my attention, then the book will last for long.

Personally, I find non-fiction books very captivating and therefore it can keep me engaged for an extended period of time. Also, I can engage myself into reading biographical books. However, I cannot bear fiction based books because the plot of the story has to be really impressive to keep me busy.

Who is your favorite author? Why?

To be honest, I am a new reader. So there is no particular author that I go ga-ga-over. Yet, there are some really good authors that I admire. I used to follow Paulo Coelho but now I somehow find his writing too repetitive which runs on the same philosophies. In addition to this, I also have a high regard for writers like Khaled Husseini, Backe Hansen and Gurucharan Das, respectively.

What aspects do you consider while choosing a book?

I don't go by the cover of the book or the number of pages. Generally, I just read the summary behind the book or go by its review while choosing a book.

If ever you want to adapt a book into a television show, which book would it be?

Recently, I just finished reading Anuja Chauhan's 'The Zoya Factor', who has also written 'Those Pricey Thakur Girls'. Anuja is such a sparkling best writer that if I have to ever adapt a book into a television show then I would surely choose 'Those Pricey Thakur Girls'. It is a beautiful story of five daughters and their life journey, which reflects the writer's typical desi style and leaves you with a premium mesmerizing feeling in the end. Even the book 'Daughter of Bengal' by a Bengali author Sujata Massey has an enchanting story but it tunes to a very serious note, so may be a movie on it would work amazingly.

One book which is closest to my heart is 'The Glass Castle'. It is actually a very fat book with small fonts but I managed to read it fully in just two days. Of late, my brother Akshay Dogra also gifted me a book named 'Miracles Happen- The Transformational Healing Power of Past-Time Memories' by Brian L. Weiss. It is comparatively a much intense book so I'm taking my own time to read it.

Has reading made any impact in your life?

Absolutely! I would like to give a credit to the book 'The Alchemeist', which has changed my life completely. As a new reader, it was my first ever book which dragged me into the habit of reading. The book is a short and inspirational parable about the importance of pursuing one's dreams. It is about more-self-help than literature. It makes you believe that when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true. So I believe that reading has bloomed my perspective towards life.

A book you would suggest to all your fans and readers?

Well, there is a never ending list of incredible books. If I have to suggest a few, it would be 'Like The Flowing River' and 'Eleven Minutes' by Paulo Coelho, 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Husseini and 'Forty Rules Of Love'.

Monica Varma