Talented actress Maninee Mihir Mishra is very kicked about her cop instructor’s role in Star Plus’ super hit show Diya Aur Baati Hum. “This is something I have not done before. I have always been lucky to have got roles as different as chalk and cheese, be it the dumb blonde Pari in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin or the suffering wife Padma in Kesariya Balam Aavo Hamare Des.” Rubbishing claims that her character of Agrima Singh loosely resembles Kiran Bedi, Maninee stated, “Agrima Singh is a purely fictitious character. The only thing similar is that we both sport short hair. The stiff attitude my character carries has its roots in her past, which will slowly unravel over time.” So are you not afraid that eventually the emphasis might shift to the domestic discord Agrima might have faced earlier, we asked her. “That was a fear even I had; I did have a word with the makers (Shashi-Sumeet Productions) and requested them to strike a right balance. My confidence about my track shaping up well is in fact reinforced with the current track where the story is properly blending happenings in the academy to affairs back home with Bhabho (Neelu Vaghela). At the moment both her mother-in-law and I are playing important roles in Sandhya’s (Deepika Singh) life. This fusion is also resonating with our audience and the ratings have crossed 6 TVR for the first time.” Since your character is shown to be a task mistress in pants, what is your personal take on the battle of the sexes? “Though I am a strong feminist, I don’t subscribe to the theory that women are better than men. We are both equal. Why should we demean the other to get ahead in life? I think only weak people do that.” “I am also equally aware of the societal mores, where the woman is expected to take care of the house besides work as well. When I am at home I am just a wife and a mother. A few years back I used to over stress myself, wanting to prove that I am the best mom. But now I have realized that one should only be true to oneself.” In closing Maninee felt sad that shows like 24 which could have proven to be the game changer for mature audiences did not do well in numbers. “I guess change will only come slowly. Till then we need to serve the viewers with what they like. Agreed I might not want to watch most daily shows, but then let’s face it, we are not the core loyal TV audience any ways.” Well said, Maninee.