Crossing over to Gautami

Gautami Gadgil made one of the most high profile entry in a TV serial. After having to match up to a power packed performance of her predecessor, Smriti Irani, Gautami had a mammoth task ahead of her. She picked up the gauntlet and did deliver. Though she failed to achieve the popularity that Smriti enjoyed what goes in her favour is that Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi still remains the most viewed TV soap of our times. We met with the actress during a crucial shooting of the crossover episode. In between takes Gautami spoke from the heart on all things important. Over to Tulsi...oops Gautami. Kyunki Saas… and Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki will have a cross over episode. What is the occasion that brings them together this time? Usually, it's a festival that binds two shows. However this time around Parvati and the Agarwal family help the Viranis in solving the mystery surrounding the death of Trupti for which Mihir has been sentenced to death. I wouldn't like to divulge more details. You should watch the show yourself. Are you comfortable with crossover episodes? Crossover episodes are great fun. You get an opportunity to mingle with your friends from other shows. With regards to a Balaji show, the bigger the star cast the better it is for us. You're just six months into the show and the audience has accepted you as the new Tulsi. Did you expect such an overwhelming response? Honestly speaking, I never expected it to happen so quickly. However, I'd like to say that I still have a long way to go. I need to grow into the character. Does it help to have your husband working in the same show? Indeed it does. In fact, I have a very good family support system. Since Ram is an actor himself, he understands the pressures and the stress that an actor goes through. He makes me feel more comfortable on the sets. While Kyunki is still garnering high TRPs, it's popularity among the urban viewer has declined. Your thoughts. I beg to differ. My mother-in-law is an urbanite and very well educated. She's been watching the show from ages. My relatives in UK too have been regular viewers of this show. Though, I would like to say that the spurt of new channels has lead to intense competition. But we do have our loyal audiences and we hope to stick with them. But don't you think the show has drifted away from its original storyline and with actors like Amar Upadhyay, Smriti leaving, the show has lost its link with the viewer? The show has been running for eight years and such changes are expected. However, I can assure you that if you watch two episodes of Kyunki.. and, you surely will get hooked on to it. Acting notwithstanding, critics felt that your thin frame didn't meet the requirement of an aged Tulsi. People were accustomed to viewing a slightly overweight Tulsi (Smriti). Were you ever asked to put on weight? Never. I strongly believe that whether you weigh 20 or 100 kilos, as an actor you should able to communicate with your audience. I'm sure of my talent as an actor and I never let other insignificant things bother me. Post marriage you were not to be seen on television. Were you waiting for a character like Tulsi to make a comeback? No. However, I never thought of playing this character. In fact, when I expressed my desire to work again, Ekta had planned something else for me. A month later, there was this hue and cry in the media that I could be replacing Smriti. I was completely oblivious to such stories. It was virtually at the eleventh hour, that Ekta asked me if I would I be interested in doing the role. Now that you've made a successful comeback to television, aren't you eyeing more shows? The temptation is always there with offers pouring in but my priorties lie with my family and especially my daughter. I'm happy to do this one show. Is your daughter aware of Tulsi's presence in her life? She's just a year and half old so she only blabbers. However, she does watches mama everyday on television.