My ambition is to perform a prostitute’s role: Apara Mehta

Apara Mehta

Nationalism is the biggest religion

Apara Mehta is popularly known for her character of ‘Savita’ of daily television serial Kyunki Saas bhi Kabhi Bahu thi which lasted for years making a history in hindi television. She also acts in Gujarati dramas and considers it as her acting experiment platform. Wife to Darshan Jariwala, who has won national award for his performance in film ‘Gandhi My Father.’

Always running with a tight schedule and these days playing short tracks in various serials, she was in Rajkot city for her drama ‘You Turn.’ Speakbindas correspondent  Vikas Rajpopat talks to her with intense questions, which she answered very joyfully, sheding lights on some of her unknown shades of life.

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Excerpt of the Interview

Q.: You are a famous actress of Mumbai for drama and television serials. What brings you to play a drama at Rajkot?

• Not only Rajkot, but I go to entire Gujarat in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bharuch, Valsad, Vapi, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar.

Q.: What makes you run for drama despite having your establishment in television serials at Mumbai?

• I have never quit playing in dramas. I manage both my television serials and drama, like if there is a shoot at Mumbai, I go by flight and finish it and then come back to city where my drama is being played.

Q.: Since when you are associated with drama?

• 1981. And since then I have never looked back.

Q.: Being a woman, how tough it was to make a position and then to sustain it in the glamorous world of drama and television serials?

• For me it has been little easy as my mother, husband and mother-in-law all were active in acting field. Infact, my husband has won a national award for best supporting actor for film ‘Gandhi My Father.’ So I can say I was taken care of well!

• But yes, when I started working in Hindi serials, it was a new atmosphere like all actors/actresses were non Gujaratis. And there was a common mentality among them that they considered Gujarati actors/actresses a step back, but now if we look, we can see that Gujarati actors are at top.

• I can say I am one of the first Gujarati actresses who worked regularly in Hindi serials from starting. Having lived in Mumbai my spoken languages Hindi, English, Gujarati and Marathi are so clear, it has never been a problem for me to act in a Hindi serial which generally new actresses face a problem of Hindi ascent.

Q.: Ma’m, you are seen on television serials, dramas. Are you seen at home too?

• (Laughs…) Rarely. Many a times it happens that when I leave my home for a shoot, my family members are sleeping and likewise when I return they are sleeping. After my father died, my mother has been living with us, so it has been quite helpful for my family like raising my daughter and so. After a span of 12 years, recently I had a vacation of two months at home. These days, I am playing short tracks in serials such as recently I played a track in ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Barat’. I am to start a new serial after Diwali and till then I am enjoying the time gap.

Q.: What is the difference between acting in a drama, serial and film?

• I have always been asked this question. To work in a theatre, on stage is my training ground where everyday I learn something new. Gujarati and Marathi, dramas are said to be experiments, and hence there is always something new to learn.

• Rest to work in television serials is quite easy for me. Films, I have rarely done two or three, so I wouldn’t be able to talk more about it.

Q.: Whom do you admire as a favorite actor?

• I like acting of Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Sridevi and Kajol.

Q.: Any ambitious role that you wish to perform?

• Yes. There is one such a role for which I can say I have become older now. My ambition is to perform a role of a prostitute. Because, that role is so tough where a lady actor has to put herself in a role for which she has no practical experience at all. I mean, it has been a puzzle for me to know what kind of situations do force women to become prostitutes.

• The role should be well written, directed and acted. I believe to perform this role, my artistry and craft as an actor can only be a positive factor. Because no observations or experiences have a place for this role and hence I consider it as the toughest role.

Q.: You have traveled all over INDIA and abroad too. What’s your take on Gujaratis now?

• Gujaratis will always be my own. I have traveled all over USA, Canada, UK, Dubai and hats off to Gujaratis that, they are everywhere. I also feel pride for the fact that they organize dramas in those countries may be for the reason to remain in touch with mother-tongue through some medium.

• So I truly feel pride for Gujaratis. Also wherever I go, Gujaratis tell me that they feel pride for me too! In presence of Hindi community, I always declare that I am 100% Gujarati. And when someone tells me “Oh! You are a Gujju”, I instantly say “No, I am Gujarati”, I never let anyone to call me a ‘Gujju.’

Q.: What would you have to say about Rajkot?

• I have been coming to Rajkot for years and I have observed a great development. Some areas have been beautifully developed, where as some still need to be developed. People should have a belief to keep their city clean. It’s all about changing people’s attitude which decides the development.

• And I wish to see more developed Rajkot everytime I visit it.

Q.: There is havoc that today’s Gujarati dramas’ performance level is getting worse. What you have to say about it?

• No, it’s a total wrong interpretation. It’s like every old generation considers that their next generation is getting worse. But it’s not like that. Like a drama I am doing ‘You Turn‘ is such a fantastic one. With sadness, I have to say that, people are getting used to watch common comedy plays. Where as in ‘You Turn’ you will find combination of great humor and emotions. And I believe that, true actors have always tried to do something new and different. But yes, its success and failure also depends upon the viewers.

Q: Which one is your favorite roles among the various roles you have played so far?

In plays if I say it is from ‘You Turn.’ Because I have tried to play an Ahmedabadi character whose dialects are like Ahmedabadi. And because I have been brought up in Mumbai and being a Nagar, my language has always been straight and clear. So by far, this role has been quite interesting for me.

In serials, I like the role of ‘Paro’ of ‘Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka.’ The role of ‘Savita’ of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi has given me immense popularity, and not only Gujaratis and Indians living in INDIA and abroad, but Asians too recognized me through this role. And I believe no other serial has been this popular. Kyunki gave me reorganization among white people and African Americans too. Kyunki was broadcast in UAE, Europe, Afghanistan with respective language sub-titles.

Q.: What is it that Apara Mehta does for her entertainment?

• (Smiles…) Shopping. I am very much fond of clothes and jewellery. During my hectic schedules when I haven’ been allowed to do anything for myself, and if then I get time say even for one hour, I just rush for shopping.

• Apart from that, I also watch some shows on television. My favorite channels are Travel & Living, Star World, Zee Café and AXN which I mostly can watch at night.

Q: To act means to get involved in a fictional character. Do those characters influence or affect Apara Mehta?

• Nope. There is a big difference between myself and the characters that I perform or have performed. You know, like when you have to play a new role often, you become more emotionally controlled. Personally if I say, I can not easily cry or laugh. Like on some sad incident at home say a death, I generally can not cry. But where as on dramas and serials, I can easily cry and laugh in front of camera.

Q: What message you would like to share with your fans?

• Only one thing that, Nationalism and our country is the biggest religion. Your religion comes after that only. So Nationalism is the biggest religion according to me.