Sonal Sehgal

"I am quitting Saara Akaash" Sonal Sehgal, aka Sanjana is out of Miditech's Saara Akash. Sonal, who's currently seen on Kasauti Zindagi Kay, on Star Plus, is also gearing up to do a crossover film. Read on, for a candid chat with Vickey Lalwani. You haven't got typecast, yet you've done a fine job in 'Saara Akaash'. That's not easy on Indian television. (Blushes)Thanks for the compliment! It all depends on how your character is etched out. The character is the king. A Pallavi (Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii) or a Komolika (Kasautii Zindagi Kay) is very difficult to shed. That's because Pallavi and Komolika are very bitchy characters. Sanjana was not bitchy; she was simply a terrorist on a mission. Whatever she was doing was solely for her country. For her nation, she was a hero. I knew I won't find it difficult to shed Sanjana. Did I hear you saying 'was'? (Biting her lip) I am out of Miditech's Saara Akaash. But why? I had an offer to do a crossover film, though I wouldn't tell you which, before the producer makes a formal announcement. The film dates were clashing with the serial dates. Plus they had shown me arrested… Sorry to interrupt, but did they show you arrested since "you" wanted to opt out or…? (Interrupts) Hmmm… it was decided mutually. My death scene has been shot. It will be telecast either on September 1 or 8. Miditech and Star Plus had a tough time in finding Sanjana and you wanted to do a crossover film? (Thinks awhile) Yes. I remember being the last person to join the cast when the show was being shot in the revised format (the show did not kick off on time; it underwent several changes in its original script). That's why you didn't have Sanjana in the beginning. Earlier, Shilpa Saklani (Ganga of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi) was supposed to do my role. But before the show went on air, she opted out. Why? Ask her (laughs). What are this Delhiite's future plans? Let's see. To start with, I did a couple of music videos Maeri (for the band Euphoria), Sukhdev, Ghunghat (for Pankaj Udhas). One thing led to another and I got a couple of ads. While was in Mumbai for a commercial, I was offered Saara Akaash. I spoke to my parents and shifted to Mumbai. With two serials now tucked under my belt, I would say 'so far, so good'. (pauses). Go on… I would love to do more films. What's stopping you? I am not game to donning under-sized and skimpy outfits. That way, I have been offered many item numbers and multi-starrers. Hence, I am looking at crossover films like the one I have done. Over to your new role. Is Ekta's 'Kasautii…' a time-bound contract? Yes. I have signed the show for just three months. Thereafter, I don't know. You know how Indian television works. Any other shows happening? Yeah. I'll be doing a Sagar Arts show for Star One. It's still in the nascent stages. It will have mostly newcomers. How's the relationship with Shakti Anand going? Shakti and I are just good friends. There is no romance between us. People are talking about us, but I guess it's common practice to link a male actor with a female actor of the same serial/film. Do you know Miditech jokingly remarked once that they would love to use this rumour as a publicity gimmick to attract more eyeballs? People say that you are living in with him in his new flat at Lokhandwala (a Western suburb in Mumbai)? Rot. Those people are vomiting and not talking. I share an apartment with a friend who is a girl of my age. But Shakti and you were dancing and kissing at Athena (a discotheque in Mumbai) at the Star Parivaar Awards party some days ago? The people who say they saw us in such a manner have buttons below their forehead and not eyes. We were only dancing.