I have been playing the same character over and over again : Farida Jalal

Farida Jalal is all set to make a comeback in the world of television with a title role in Sab TV’s show Ammaji Ki Galli. She plays an old woman who was abandoned by her family and then later brought home by Parminder Kaur, essayed by Rakshanda Khan. She is loved by everyone in her galli and it’s a tale where she finds her family among strangers. In an interview with Tellychakkar the actor talks about her comeback, the show and more. On choosing the show… This is the first time I have been offered a title role. I have never done it before. I was very excited when the offer came to me as this will be my first lead role in any show, that too at this age. I am not doing films anymore, and this show looked different so I opted for it. On the character…. My character is a wheel-chair driven one. When I was approached for the role, I was initially a bit worried as mostly I have essayed characters that are very bubbly and full of energy. But when I got know more about the role I simply loved it and decided to do it. When the show comes on air you can certainly expect many surprising elements in my character. On doing less films… I have been playing the same character over and over again in different films. My contemporaries like Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher, etc used to get variety of roles like that of a doctor or lawyer. But I was being offered only a mother’s role. I was getting bored as my dialogues also started getting repetitive. One day I say some dialogue to Fardeen Khan and the next day I say the same thing to Ajay Devgan. There was no variety in my roles. How long could I keep doing the same roles? On offers from other shows… I have not been offered anything till now. I want to do shows like those that are currently on air. The day I am offered such a show I will grab it with both hands. As I told you earlier, I was given similar roles again and again. On Ammaji and Farida Jalal… Ammaji tries to help people in whatever capacity she can. Similarly, whenever I can I try to help people when they face problems. She is also secretly as mischievous as I am. On favourite shows on TV… I loved watching Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi but now whenever I want to laugh I watch SAB TV and I also like watching Uttaran on Colors. On shooting experience for Ammaji… There are many funny, nice and interesting characters who will give small but helpful messages. There is this character called Sheetal who looks for positivity in every situation irrespective of how negative it is. I am enjoying my shooting and we all shoot like one family. Also I am very fond of the twins on the show. I love their company very much.