Take a look at the above picture. See how much Giaa Maanek, last seen in SAB TV’s Jeannie Aur Juju, has changed in appearance. Her success story shows that through sheer hard work and dedication, an ordinary middle class girl can become one of the top TV actresses of the day. When we showed the pic to Giaa, she smiled and said, “You take me back in time. I was always a quiet student. This confidence you see in me today has only grown with time and constant efforts.” Ahmedabad born Giaa moved to Mumbai where she did her schooling. “I later enrolled in Ruia College (Matunga) and Bhavan’s college, Andheri for a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Media (BBM). I majored in Advertising.” So how did acting happen? “Well, woh kida hamesha hi mujh mein tha (I always wanted to act). I auditioned for Gopi’s bahu role (Saath Nibhana Saathiya) and the rest as they say is history.” So are you in touch with your school and college mates? “Sadly not as most of them have gone aboard, so we don’t get much time or opportunity to catch up. But yes, we keep in touch through Viber and other social media platforms.” In closing we asked what next after she quit Jeannie Aur Juju and she said, “I am now waiting for that next big ticket role. It has to be something what I have not done before. I have already played a good bahu character, comedy, and even a vamp shade in Jeannie. I have also ticked the non-fiction (Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa) box. So I am in no hurry to take up any offer just to keep busy and end up disappointing my fans. ” “I have full confidence in myself that I will come back with something meaty very soon. Till then I just want to relax and recharge my batteries. I have been constantly working for the past four years. I signed Jeannie very soon after Jhalak. Once you start working, you don’t get time for anything. So I am using this break to also meet up family and finish up a lot of pending work.” We wish you all the best, Giaa!!!