An actress par excellence

Though the character is negative, it’s not completely black. So, the dialogue cannot be too harsh. I change the words here and there to tone down the effect and here I must say I get the full support of my director Ashaji

Kora Kagaz, STAR Plus’ popular marital drama is the story of Pooja who’s duped by her husband on the first day of her marriage.
Naturally then, she corners all your sympathies. But strangely when it comes to your anger, it is directed at Pooja’s mother-in-law Shobha instead of the husband who’s actually wronged her. The unspoken tussle, as we see it, is between Pooja and Shobha.

Shobha is such a smooth, subtle manipulator that you instantly hate her but there are times when you even empathise with her. For Shobha played by Uttara Baokar is not your stereotypical saasuma who can be bracketed either as a Lalita Pawar or a Sulochana.

Uttara Baokar has etched out a character so unique that it cannot be classified into black and white. While her attitude towards Pooja is positively mean, it’s her love for her son Mahesh that strikes a chord, though it is irrational. "The reason," says Uttara Baokar, "is that as a mother you ache for your child who is going through troubled times, financially and emotionally, while you are living a luxurious life. Which mother wouldn’t want her son to be with her?" True, but what about the trauma he’s caused to his family and his bride? Do you overlook that? "No, that’s why at times you see Shobha admitting that she is wrong but still goes ahead because she is blinded by the love for her son," explains the talented actress.

For Uttara Baokar, playing Shobha has been the most challenging role so far in her career. "It’s a role that is far removed from my personality," she says and adds, "since it has many shades it gives me a lot of scope to convey my feelings through expressions." This strong-willed actress is also very particular about the dialogue. "Though the character is negative, it’s not completely black. So, the dialogue cannot be too harsh. I change the words here and there to tone down the effect and here I must say I get the full support of my director Ashaji," she says gratefully.

Besides Kora Kagaz, Uttara Baokar is also doing Antraal which has been temporarily taken off the air to make way for Kaun Banega Crorepati. She’s also acting in Tejaswini as Renuka Shahane’s mother but that role hasn’t excited her much as it is "strait laced". In Antraal she plays a positive role with an optimistic outlook on life. A character which is somewhat similar to the one she portrayed in the long-running serial Banegi Apni Baat on Zee. As Pinky mausi, Uttara provided the lighter moments with her zest and liveliness bringing cheer to the otherwise morose proceedings. "The character in Banegi... is closer to my personality. So, I didn’t really have to make much effort there, it was fun," recalls Uttara. However, it’s her role in Udaan that she’s extremely fond of. "Though I played an ordinary middle-class housewife, her thoughts and individuality were interpreted very differently," she explains.

Essentially, a theatre artist, Uttara has been a part of National School of Drama both as a student and a teacher. She spent the better part of her life in NSD’s repertory and simultaneously did a few Delhi-based serials of which Udaan was very popular. A Sangeet Natak Academy award-winner, she’s also acted in a few off-beat films including Ek Din Achanak directed by Mrinal Sen which got her the National award for Best Supporting Actress. She was a part of the Marathi film Doghi which won many State and National awards.
Recently, she did a bit role in Govind Nihalani’s Takshak and also made a brief appearance in Shyam Benegal’s Sardari Begum. "I acted in all these films because I wanted to work with these reputed directors, otherwise I am not interested in films, specially the commercial ones," she informs.

Based in Pune and single, Uttara has her priorities clearly chalked out. "Fifteen days of the month I come down to Mumbai to shoot for serials and the rest of the month I reserve it for myself, indulging in reading and listening to music," says she. If you’ve noticed, this is one actress who hasn’t allowed herself to be swayed by the boom in the channels and serials. At a time she acts only in a couple of serials and never works in shifts, that way she can do "justice" to her role. After Kora Kagaz, one will see Uttara in Siski a serial being produced and directed by Neena Gupta for STAR Plus.

Talking to Uttara, one gets a feeling that she is an extremely contented person. She stayed in Delhi which has its limitations as far as offering scope for acting is concerned, but that never deterred Uttara from doing what she likes best. She serenely talks about her decision to shift to Pune after spending a year in Mumbai and failing to get the kind of roles she wanted. If you expect any disappointments or complaints about leading a spinster life, forget it. "It was not that I decided not to get married, it just happened that way and frankly, I am very happy and lucky that people have always been supportive to me," she says matter-of-factly and gets ready to give her next shot. And might we add, it’s the best.

Chaya Unnikrishnan

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