G ayathri Arun is in the middle of a short break on the sets of ‘Parasparam’ when I finally get to talk with her over the phone. She is ecstatic about the serial doing well and her role receiving a lot of appreciation. The daily soap on Asianet, which is the remake of a Hindi serial ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’ on Star Plus, has her in the role of Deepthi, an IPS officer. In an interview with The Friday Review she talks about her role onscreen and that of a wife and mother offscreen. Excerpts:
Tryst with the mini screen
I was into extra curricular activities during my school days at my native place, Cherthala, and had won the prize for the best actress in the state schools’ youth festival. I always wanted to do something related to media and did my graduation in Communicative English with journalism as my main subject. I worked with an event management firm and later joined an FM channel.
Acting was not in my scheme of things at any point of time. I used to host shows on Kairali TV, Jai Hind TV and Shalom and was quite comfortable in front of the camera.
It was through a friend that I got my first role in a serial, Indira , aired on Mazhavil Manorama. I was a replacement for the lead actress when the serial was about to wind up.
After that I got a lot of offers, but family life has always been my priority. Speaking about Parasparam , I had watched the original serial on Star Plus and was familiar with the character. It has a wonderful storyline, but I was reluctant to say yes because my daughter was very young then. However, my husband, Arun, in-laws and my family wanted me to do it and I accepted it. I am so happy that they are so supportive. Now my four-year-old daughter, Kalyani, is so fond of my character that she imitates whatever I do on the screen!
On the role
Deepthi, encouraged by her husband, Sooraj, successfully pursues her dream of becoming an IPS officer. One of the significant segments of the serial has been the schedule showing our training sessions at the police academy. The entire team put in a lot of hard work. A serial has got its limitations, but the art direction team did their best to make the sequences look real. We shot without dupes. It was gruelling, but the effort was worth it. I also reduced my weight so that I could carry off the look of a police officer. It is indeed encouraging to know that the serial has got a lot of male viewers owing to the storyline.
As an actress
Though I never thought I would become an actress, Manju Warrier is an actress I have always idolised. After watching her movies, I used to imitate her standing in front of the mirror (laughs). I just hope I can meet her someday.
I also admire Urvashi. Both of them are natural in front of the camera. We serial artistes are always made fun of for being melodramatic or for overacting. So I try to be natural and my character is also someone who is mature and level-headed.
Looking ahead
At present, I am working with the advertising section of a Malayalam daily. I am on leave for the time being, but would love to continue my job. I had not planned this journey and I’m not planning ahead as well.
(‘Parasparam’ is aired on Asianet, Monday to Saturday at 9 p.m.)
