I would have been able to help Rakhi Vandana Pathak

Vandana Pathak is back on television but it’s not going to be a pleasant return. Vandana will now be seen in a tug-of-war with veteran actress Bharti Achrekar in SAB’s new show Main Kab Saas Banoongi. This is a tug-of-war between saas Saraswati (Bharti) who wouldn’t let her bahu Sheela Devi (Vandana) become a saas. Tellychakkar caught up with Vandana at the show’s launch. This is the first time that you are playing a lead. How does it feel? It’s feels wonderful but at the same time there is an added responsibility on you. Besides, it’s a daily comedy show and it’s always a difficult task to sustain a comedy show. However, the script is so beautifully written which makes our task easier. In the show, your mother-in-law (Bharti Achrekar) holds a stick on you. Is it the same off- camera too? Yes, we do have our petty squabbles but not of the nature that you’ll see in the show. In fact, she treats me like a child. This is the first time that I’m working with a brilliant actor like her. It’s always enriching to work with an actor like Bhartiji. Theatre actors don’t enjoy working with rookies. Your thoughts. Yes, I’ll agree with that. Personally, I’m not in favour of casting through mere auditions. There have been times where I’ve encountered actors who are merely happy to bag a role but have no attachment to their craft. There are those who only want their scripts to be written in Hinglish. What stuns me is that the same people speak in Hindi in their homes but want their scripts in Hinglish. Apparently, there a quite a few rookie actors in your show who have come through mere auditions. Yes, that’s true but most of them are really good actors.. Ambika, who plays my daughter-in-law, is a very natural actress. What impresses most about her Ambika is her willingness to learn. She always keeps consulting me to know whether she’s got the shot right. But isn’t theatre supposed to be a training school for all actors. I couldn’t agree with you more. Theatre teaches you to learn self improvisation. More than anything, it enables you in becoming thinking actors; there are very few such actors in television. One mustn’t forget there is something called God’s gift. You were last seen in Star One’s Saathi Re. Apparently, the show didn’t last too long. What went wrong? I really don’t know what went wrong with the show as I was in America then. The producers wanted me to be back but I couldn’t cancel my trip. Besides, I felt there was not much left for my character. Hum Paanch to Main Kab Saas Banoongi. How’s the journey been? I’ve seen myself grow as an actress. In Hum Paanch, I played a complete feminist; my character in Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka had different shades to it; where as in Yeh Meri Life Hai, I played a simple housewife. It’s not often that you get to play such versatile roles in television. Why is it that barring Vidya Balan and you, we didn’t see more of your Hum Paanch siblings? There’s no given rule that your second show will be a huge success. Besides, you need to be lucky to bag good shows. Are you in touch with your Hum Paanch siblings? Well, we do remain in touch via phone calls and SMSes. All of us are so busy with our respective work that we don’t get time to meet. Your friend Rakhi Vijan has been through a tough phase in her personal life. Did you ever try to help in her hour of crisis? Well, I wasn’t there when Rakhi endeared all this pain. Perhaps, I would have been able to help her out. But she’s a real fighter and I’m sure she’ll come out strong out of this. Finally, Sheela Devi's dream of becoming a saas appear to be quite difficult, how long will Vandana take to become one? I have a 12- year- old son and another little daughter. So, it will take more time. Mind you I’m not in any hurry either to become a saas. As regards to the show, if I were to become a saas soon then that would mean the end of the show.