A dream come true
Purbi Joshi

When you are born in a family of actors, you really cannot escape the arc lights. Since her childhood, Purbi Joshi has been exposed to theatre thanks to her father, late Praveen Joshi (a renowned theatre director) and mom Sarita Joshi (Sangeet Academy winner theatre cum film actress). “I always wanted to be an actress, so I was never really interested in studies,” quips Purbi.

From a young age, Purbi has had the opportunity to watch her parents and sister Ketaki Dave performing in front of the camera. “I was wondering when I will be facing the camera,” recalls Purbi. Having spent most of her childhood backstage, Purbi learnt all the intricacies of acting, directing and theatre. As soon as she finished her tenth, she started modelling for various brands like Shogun Tissues, Wintershield Cream, Thomson TV, Iodex, Liberty Footware, Johnson & Johnson to name a few.

Being a model, Purbi became camera friendly and was ready to hit the small screen. In 1995, Purbi got her first break in Faasle and simultaneously did a comedy play Take it Easy. “I am very passionate about comedies and I really enjoyed doing Take it Easy,” explains Purbi. When she entered ABCL talent contest, she was shortlisted among the top ten. She reminisces, “We all had a good time in Bangalore and we got to learn many things from Bachchan. I am sad that ABCL didn’t do well after that initial draw.” Nevertheless, Purbi got offers for Shenai from UTV, followed by Sajjid No 1 on Star Plus. She also did a few episodes of Hum Paanch and currently is playing one of the sisters in Mehendi Tere Naam Ki on Zee. The latter has made her a well-known face in the industry.

But it is with Dishayen that Purbi has got her calling. “I am so glad that I got the chance to playthe twin sister in the first double role serial on the small screen. As an actress, I feel content.” How did she bag the coveted role? She recalls, “I had worked with Sundeep Dara earlier in Shenai and we shared a good bond. One fine day, Sundeep called me and asked me to come for a screen test. After a couple of weeks, I came to know that I was selected to play Neha and Nikita. We all were very enthusiatic because for the first time the twin sister project was being made. Initially, it was difficult but once we realised the technique, it became easy for one and all.” But playing both the roles must have taken a toll on the actress? “It was tiresome because I had to be very fast in changing my get up and switch over to another personality and deliver consistently all through,” she confesses.

But her effort has paid off as the serial has caught on with the viewers in a big way. “We have been getting a lot of fan mails from all over the nation. Producer Hasmukh Shah, Narendra Kessar and Sundeep Dara have done their jobs very efficiently. In fact, the whole team has done a commendable job.” Does she feel that being on DD, an actress doesn’t get much recognition? “DD’s reach makes an actor very popular among the masses but being on satellite channel, one gets recognition in the industry, which is so important for an actor,” she reasons. What does she like about Dishayen?

“Playing the twin sister itself gives a high. Apart from that, both the characters are positive unlike in Hindi films, where one is playing positive and another a negative one.”

How would she relate to the two sisters of Dishayen? She explains, “Playing Neha was very difficult because I had to maintain being a typical docile woman who’s content with her married life. I had to work harder because in real life I am very talkative and frank.” She’s also a mimic, has a great sense of humour and is a movie buff. She calls herself a director’s actor.

What does she think about the TV soaps today? “TV has gone almost 20 years back. The regression in the serials is really pathetic. I am glad that producers like Hasmukh Shah and Parvati Gopalan are trying to break the family drama saga with a new concept,” she says in an upbeat mood.

My best is yet to come
Sandhya Mridul

She lives life kingsize, doing all that she wants and enjoying it to the fullest. At the same time she’s a go-getter who loves doing things differently. We are talking about Sandhya Mridul who considers herself to be the George of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. The pretty actress is currently on a high playing the covetous double role in the serial Hubahu.

To begin with, Sandhya aspired to be a lawyer like her father but destiny had something else in store for her. She graduated with Mathematics Honours from Lady Shriram College, Delhi. She also learnt Bharat Natyam under Sonal Mansingh for five years and picked up Kathak from her mother. It was her impulsive decision to quit her job as Manager Customer Services, KLM that brought her to the telly. “One fine day, I just quit after working for two and a half years,” Sandhya recalls. She landed up at Karuna Samtani’s office looking for a job and since then has never looked back.

Karuna Samtani signed her as the host for Young Buzz on the now defunct EL TV. “I was scared but then I guess it was my confidence which has brought me where I am today.” Her anchoring impressed Tony and Deeya Singh who signed her for Banegi Apni Baat. Swabhimaan followed for which, “I got rave reviews.” Since then she has done umpteen serials including Anupam Kher’s Jeene Bhi Do Yaaron, Farz, Liberty 1 to 10, Aashriwaad, Mungerilal Ke Bhai Navrangilal, Talaash, Tanha, Supriya, Muskaan and Koshish Ek Asha.” The last one brought undue fame to Sandhya. “I got the most from Koshish Ek Asha and it’s a beautiful role. A role that I will cherish all my lifetime. However, my best is yet to come.” Sandhya confesses.

But the one she finds the most challenging is her double role in Hubahu which has her playing both Ananya and Aditi. “I play twin sister in the serial. It is definitely a challenging role but then I guess I have both the sides to me in my real life too.

Technically though, it takes a toll on the actress and director who have to be consistent all through. In fact, when there were two of us, that is, Ananya and Aditi shooting on the same day, the unit had a tiring schedule. To be honest, at one time I was even about to pass out and have nervous breakdown. I am glad that didn’t happen.” How did she bag the role in Hubahu? “Nupur and Parvati called me and when they got what they were looking from me, they signed me. I am so glad because today I share a beautiful and valuable relationship with both of them.”

Did she know that Dishayen was the first to hit the screen with the double role concept? “Well! I had heard about it but haven’t had the chance to watch the serial. However, I am glad that now the producers are taking the risk to make something creative and good. Dishayen and Hubahu are just the beginning I guess,” clarifies Sandhya. When we ask about which among the two sisters does she relate to? She smiles and says, “Both the characters are me. However, there’s more of Ananya in me. She’s ambitious, fun loving, frank, a go-getter and cares for her friends, just like me.” Sandhya is a perfectionist and has evolved as one of the great performers on the small screen. “A challenge always stimulates me and I look forward to excel in whatever I do,” she quips.

Sandhya speaks about her co-stars at great length explaining how each one of them fits their role to a perfect T. Says Sandhya, “Rajat Kapoor is the typical husband, more like what he’s in real life. Tarun Raghavan is the raw stud and has portrayed his role beautifully. Suchitra Pillai is a typical socialite who’s always looking to party around. She needs no occasion and enjoys life to its fullest. Mohan Kapoor plays what he’s in real life. Hats off to Parvati and Nupur for casting so perfectly. Nupur as a director has really done her job well. She’s so efficient that at times she’s even squeezed me to death (smiles). Above all, I am so glad that the serial has been accepted well by the audience.”
What after Hubahu? “I am doing two films. I have completed Mani Ratnam’s production titled Saathiya directed by Shaad Ali, starring Rani Mukherjee and Vivek Oberoi. I am playing Rani’s sister in the film. I share a beautiful relationship with Shaad Ali and so I ventured to act in his film. Imtiaz is another Delhi friend of mine and I signed his film Socha Na Tha even without knowing what my role is all about. That’s the trust I share and have with my friends, who care for me. Imtiaz Ali is making his debut as a director. He’s the son of noted filmmaker Muzaffar Ali. In this film Sunny Deol’s cousin Abhay Deol is also making his debut.” Did she enjoy doing films? She exclaims, “Oh, I really had a freaky time. In fact, I went berserk with Rani in Saathiya. There was a good chemistry between the two of us. She’s a great actress and a very good human being, which is so important.”

While many TV stars are making their headway towards the silver screen, Sandhya on the contrary is looking for a break in theatre. “I want to make it big there,” she informs. With films already in her kitty and fame on the small screen, it won’t be long before Sandhya makes it to the stage.