She is a stunner! And that is an honest confession. After witnessing her on -screen avtaar at a staged launch, one wasn't really sure what to expect when an interview at a local coffee joint was scheduled. But boy, did we rub our eyes in disbelief when she tiptoed in. That's the latest "ugly duckling waiting to turn into a beautiful swan" Nikki of Star Plus' newest entrant Dekho Magar Pyaar Se - - -alias model cum actor Shweta Agarwal, for you. Read on for a heart to heart that transpired thereafter with indiantelevision.com's Vickey Lalwani. |
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When did the acting bug bite you? |
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But, didn't you also act in couple of TV serials here as well? At that point of time, I thought that I was getting a great opportunity to do films, which I should not fritter away. I did five films (four Telugu, one Kannada). |
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So why did you come back? |
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Were you staying alone? |
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Coming from a Marwari background, did you face parental opposition when you initially announced your decision to join the entertainment industry? |
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Back in Mumbai, did you start missing the filmi atmosphere down South? Every behavioral aspect of Nikki had to be like that of an overweight girl. You could put on lot of padding on your body, but you need to be able to walk and sit like an overweight person. Of all the contestants (and there were many!!!!), I looked the most convincing with all that weight on. |
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Has Indian television come to a stage where glamour is slipping into the background? Jassi... happened at the right time, followed by Yeh Meri Life Hai, which I think is also doing quite well. |
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But how is it that such deglamorised protagonists strike the right chord with the audience in today's times when fashion rules the roost? If you have a great looking girlfriend who is not a nice person, how long will your relationship last? |
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But the girlfriend can be good in looks and heart at the same time? |
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You said that you were comfortable in carrying the weight put on you for Nikki's character? How did this comfort originate? |
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The homework was not difficult, rather, wasn't required as you say. But at the end the day... (Interrupts) You said it! That's not easy. Carrying so much weight for hours together, the hair pulled back so tightly that I perpetually have a headache is very, very exhausting. |
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Exhausting? My mom is my biggest fan. She is on a complete high. She has gone checking the hoardings all around the city. |
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But if given a choice, wouldn't you have preferred if you had a show where you looked your usual self. With the kind of advertisement campaigns we have these days, it would have generated more buzz than your previous shows. This in turn would have given you direct recognition with the masses. Not really. This is a blessing in disguise. Despite my face being splashed all over, I can still lead my life the way I want to. What more can I ask for? I wouldn't like people coming and mobbing me if I am sitting with my friends for a coffee or partying. |
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Have friends and relatives, who didn't know that you were acting in 'DMPS', called to verify with you? |
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Did you suspect that Star's 'DMPS' will be compared to Sony's 'Jassi…'? |
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Go on… I think if someone spots Mona Singh in person, he will know she is Jassi. But if someone sees me in person, he wouldn't know I am Nikki. |
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Why? On the other hand, if you see my behaviour and body language, it's completely different. There's even a different connotation in my voice. I have been shown very timid to begin with. So I am working at my voice accordingly. Later of course, with time, my voice will change as I gain confidence. |
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We hear, Sony is planning to unmask the real Mona Singh soon. Is Star too going to adopt the same policy? |
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But isn't fatness being propagated in some way? Pray, obesity is dangerous… Believe me, people on my sets say that I look so cute in that overweight get up that they wish I really looked like that. |
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But, what does Shweta Agarwal feel? (Smiles) Given a choice, I love the way I am. But even if I was fat, which I told you I was once upon a time, I still would wears trendy outfits, attended parties and did what every normal teenager does. Even today, I don't go to gym and do any workout to keep myself in shape. |
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Now for the main question. Are there no restrictions from Star that you shouldn't move out as yourself in public? I had an option of being contracted with them completely or do it the way I wanted to. |
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Please elaborate. |
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One gets a feeling that Star hurried up with 'DMPS' simply because Sony was coming up with two new shows- 'Hum 2 Hai Na' and 'Aayushman' after a week's time. A knee-jerk reaction. Right? Wrong. Actually, DMPS was supposed to launch early July. But since we did not have enough in the episode bank, it got delayed. Since the Star and Sony launches were so close, you get that feeling. If Star were really keen to push it, DMPS would have hit the tube in June. Maybe Star would be in a better position to answer this one. |
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How is your personal life like? (Smiles) Lots of relatives, lots of friends. I am very happy. |
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