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Priya
Tendulkar
-- Writing her
own tale
What
prompted you to act in a Marathi serial after a long time?
If you’ve noticed I have always been doing a Marathi serial or film
now and then. I love Marathi and though the budgets are very low for Marathi
serials/films I do it out of my love for the language.
Many a times I have done it free of cost. With Asmita also it’s the
same because I am producing it myself. (Laughs).
| She
had directed a Marathi serial Imarat eight years ago. Now she’s
acting in a Marathi serial Asmita which she is also writing and producing. A tete-a-tete with Priya Tendulkar on Asmita, the first and only daily soap on TARA to be dubbed in four languages... |
You are also writing the story. How did that come about?
Basically I am a writer. It’s in my blood. You may be aware that
till date I have written four books and won awards too. If I would have
it my way I would just write. But that’s not enough to make a living
because writers are not a highly paid lot. As for Asmita, I had written
the story around two years ago. It depicts the effects of globalisation
and changing values on the society.
How did you think of producing it in Marathi?
To tell you the truth, I had written it in English with the idea of making
a Hindi weekly serial. But when I approached STAR Plus with the concept
they suggested I convert it into a Marathi daily soap for TARA. This is
the first and only daily soap on the newly launched Marathi channel. I
found the idea appealing for two reasons. One is that the channel is still
in the process of building its viewership for which it requires a good
programme. They saw the potential in Asmita. Secondly, for me it’s
challenging as a writer to lure the viewers hooked onto other channels
and then sustain their interest day after day.
I am happy to say that after a week of its telecast I have already started
getting a positive response from people in Pune and Aurangabad.
Tell us what Asmita is all about?
In Marathi Asmita means swabhimaan or self-respect. In the serial, Asmita
is the name of a character. But it does not revolve around her. There
are different characters with different tracks. The serial traces each
ones’ struggle and search for swabhimaan. The story has conflict,
drama, humour, in short everything in it.
Since you are playing the role of Asmita don’t you find it 
difficult
managing all the three together - writing, producing and acting?
You bet. That’s why I was reluctant to act in the serial. I suggested
the names of many good actresses for that role but the director insisted
I do it. So here I am. There was another reason why I didn’t want
to act in the serial. People still associate me with the image of Rajni
and feel that if I am in the serial I would oppose any injustice and get
things done my way aggressively.
But Asmita is a very ordinary woman. She is married and has two daughters.
It’s her story that is very unusual. After 15 years, one fine day,
her husband suddenly decides to leave her. What she does then, how she
overcomes her grief and seeks her swabhimaan is what Asmita is all about.
Which are the other serials you are acting in?
There’s Angaan which is already on air. That’s also a daily
soap, then there’s Aaz which is yet to be aired. The serial which
will be telecast on Zee has me playing the role of a old woman.
What’s happened to your talk show?
I have given it a break. I did it for four years and I was tired.
But it will be back.
Chaya Unnikrishnan