Making a place in the bright glitzy world of the small screen industry has not been an easy ride for F.I.R ’s beloved Kavita ‘Chandramukhi’ Kaushik. From having to prove her mettle as a non-glamorous actor to challenging notions of accepted behaviour and appearance, Kavita is happy and content finally.
Being a first generation actor in the family, what made you enter this industry where it is tough surviving alone?
It is probably the most clichéd story ever. I was learning to be a director when there was an audition in Delhi for Balaji Telefilms. I accompanied a friend and the next thing you know, I was spotted and cast in Kutumb . I never had a godfather but I have an amazing father and a belief in God. I believe in doing my job and I’ll get my due.
There are a lot of difficulties in playing a headstrong female character in an industry dominated by glorification of patriarchal family traditions. What made you take the risk?
Life has been very different for me. I have lived and designed my career my way. So taking a risk gives me a kick. I have not been afraid of failing and that gives me more power to do certain things. Seven years of playing Chandramukhi in SAB TV’s F.I.R have proved people wrong who thought that ‘the Delhi girl’ playing glamorous roles could not play a simple plain girl. I have always pushed myself to surprise my audience. From a glamorous negative character to a serious cop in CID to comedy and now a bubbly Maina in my new serial ( Tota Weds Maina ), every role has been different. It has been a magnificent journey.
After a pointF.I.Rrested almost solely on Chandramukhi’s shoulders. How did you feel about it?
Definitely, the show rested on her. She was very different, a hyper loud woman. Portraying her for 14-15 hours a day for seven years without letting her seep into real life was not easy. I almost forgot that I was a female! I love myself for being able to do it and hold my head high for accomplishing it. It was tough journey that gave me a lot in the end.
Spoken Haryanvi became a cool trend after Chandramukhi Chautala. Why did you decide on the rustic way of speaking considering it was untested water at that time?
I feel India is a country with many traditions and different cultures that people living in the metros never experience. Our generation does not know even 10per cent of what we have. Again no girl was willing to immerse herself in this role. My dad used to talk in such accents with his orderlies and other officers. So it was easy for me to pick it up. I felt it was important for people to know just how rich our culture is. It is part of our social responsibility. After every 25 kilometres, the dialect in India changes. I did not want it to be lost.
You are doing a new show ‘Tota Weds Maina’. How does it feel to not be a cop anymore?
It is just wonderful. The entire team is interesting. I immensely enjoyed shooting for it. The show is basically about an odd couple. They accidentally get married to each other and how they discover love on this journey. This transition from tough cop to the bubbly happy Maina was a much needed one.
So what should we look forward to from Kavita Kaushik?
With both shows on there is hardly any time for me to do anything else. And right now I’m very happy sharing television space as it gives me everything that anyone can wish for.
As Kavita dons her new avatar, television awaits the transformation of one of its finest actors.
