I do not watch TV serials because I feel they’re below standard: Narayani Shastri

The bond between a mother and her daughter is a very special one. They fight, get angry, disagree on things, but never stop loving each other. Star Plus’ new soap ‘Rishton ka Chakravyuh’, produced by Rolling pictures and Taurus media, is based upon one such unique story between a mother and daughter and the turmoil in their relationship. It will depict the collision between an authoritative mother and her rebellious daughter.

The lead characters of Anami and Satrupa are being played by Mahima Makwana and Narayani Shastri respectively.  At the launch of the event recently, we interviewed Narayani Shastri, and she happily shared with us the details about the show, her character and her personal life.

Read on to find what she said:

Tell us something about your character.

I’m playing Satrupa. She’s married in a royal family. She has a steel business. She’s a much focused, clear cut, no nonsense, manipulative, power wielding person. With money and power come mind games and manipulation. She can do anything to hold her authority and power.   

Since Koi Apna SA where you played a simpleton girl, your journey has been quite amazing. You have experienced quite varied roles. Do you think you have been lucky with the kind of roles that you have portrayed?

I’m absolutely blessed. I don’t know how I landed up in acting; I never knew I could act. There’s nothing like that I haven’t been offered bad roles, but thankfully I don’t do them. That’s the reason why I take gaps in doing shows. But yes, I’m very grateful that I got to play such amazing characters.

You are one of the few actors who have a brain of their own and you work on your own terms, so do you think such actors find it difficult to survive in the industry?

Not at all; I think success is all in your head. You can have all the money in this world and still feel poor, because you don’t have a Rolls Royce. I believe that I’m just grateful.

Are there any specific kinds of characters that attract you?

No, there’s nothing specific. I never thought I’d do something like Bhawri Devi or someone can even offer a character like that to me. But I loved playing Bhawri. So from crude and crass Bhawri to now playing Satrupa, there’s a stark difference in both the roles. Apart from being powerful there’s no other similarity between the characters. It feels good to play such varied roles.

You have been in the industry for so many years, what difference have you seen in the way women are portrayed in TV serials?

 Television has always portrayed women strong. TV industry runs on heroines and not heroes. It can be called as a woman’s industry.

 After Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, how is it working with Star Plus again?

Actually I did some reality shows with Star, but I don’t think they count. So it’s fun and very special to work with Star again.

 How many TV serials do you follow?

I don’t watch much television. Yes, I watch few shows because my friends are working in it, but that too only a couple of episodes. I don’t watch TV because I feel its low standard but because I can’t see a woman turning into a fly. But some shows are really good like the one Jennifer is doing. She’s doing brilliant work and I followed the show for quite some time.

So if such a show(Sasural Simar Ka) is offered to you, will you accept the role?

I will if they give me lots of money. (laughs)

Any character that you look up to or wish to play?

I never even thought I’d act, so wishing to play a character is far from it. See, if you go shopping, you do not buy everything you see or like. One thing that just instantly attracts you is what you buy, and the same is in the case of acting. There are a lot of roles offered to me, but I do what I believe in.

The show is so huge, with some big names and it also has a nice storyline, but is given 6 PM time slot. Do you think it will affect the business or TRPs?

 See, I work on a very simple funda, my work is to act, and giving my best performance is my only concern. Rest all, promotions, telecast, and all is up to the channel and producers. That is none of my business. I don’t believe that any slot is good or bad. Piya Rangrezz was on afternoon slot for three years and it was number one show, then it shifted to prime time and  it shut down, isn’t it stupid? I think if your show is good, the 6 PM slot will become prime time. 

 Do you think you have got your due as an actor?

Yes, completely. I’m working till now, and getting good roles, and respect, so that means that I have gotten my due.

Talking about your family, recently, you admitted about your marriage with Tony. Why did you keep it so secretive?

See, it happened very suddenly, plus I am a discrete person, I don’t believe in making my private life public. It should be no one else’s concern.

How are you as a wife?

I’m the same; marriage hasn’t made any difference. We have been together since 6-8 years now. We didn’t even want to get married. Our marriage was a very sudden decision. There were literally four people at our wedding and it was a court marriage.

Every day new faces enter the industry, do you ever feel insecure?

I feel there is work for everyone. There is so much work happening, afternoon slots are opening, and apart from that as they say, nobody gets more than what destiny has for them.

You keep yourself out of the limelight of the media, do you do it consciously?

See, when I was a newcomer, even I was photographed everywhere, so now I’m done with all these things. One reason why my marriage news was not mentioned in any of the interviews is that Tony doesn’t understand all this media hassle. Now he has warmed up a little. We have two dogs and three cats and that’s our life. We spend our whole day grooming and playing with them.