"Love is really beautiful": Kavita Kaushik

Friday, July 20, 2007
Kavita Kaushik is happy with her share in the television industry. More so now, since hit serial FIR has returned for a second season on SAB TV. The tall actress talks about the character of a funny Haryanvi cop she plays on the show and how TV content has changed over the years.

Will the second season of FIR be different?
No, it will be the same. Changes are brought about only when things don't work out. By God's grace, FIR is rocking now. In fact, I would call it one of the best comedy shows on television. The characters of Chandramukhi Chautala, Hanuman Prasad and Gulgule are really sweet, innocent and lovable.

Don't you think that sometimes the humour on FIR goes below the belt?
Our comedy is meant for the family audience. In fact, when we improvise and try to add something even slightly improper, the director screams 'cut'.

How do you like playing the Jat inspector, Chandramukhi, on the show?
Initially, the creative team wanted me to play a no-nonsense cop. But I suggested this fun-loving, romantic, Haryanvi cop. No actress has played a similar role before. Our gamble paid off, people really love the rustic antics of Chandramukhi Chautala.

Given our cultural sensibilities do you think that a woman chasing a man will work?
God, times have changed! Today's woman knows what she wants and will go for it. What's wrong in pursuing the man you truly love? It is definitely better then indulging in kitchen politics.

Will Chandramukhi finally get Hanuman Prasad in Season II of FIR?
If the twain shall meet the show will come to an end. But the audiences are surely looking forward to see us come together. The imposter Hanuman Prasad is already in love with me. But he cannot say so openly as that will expose him.

You have done many other serials before, but playing a lead is a different ball game in terms of publicity.
I really don't care much for TRP ratings. People still remember my work in CID, Kesar and Tumhari Disha.

You don't seem too enthusiastic about playing lead roles on major channels.
The main drawback of doing a major daily is after it's over, the audience doesn't accept you in some other role. I cannot live with this stagnation.

What's your take on today's TV content?
It's very regressive. What really annoys me is that these days, we don't even have real actors, but people who just parrot lines. There is too much emphasis on facial expressions. Can't we show real-life situations where the vamps do big damage with a sweet smile?

Rank your best work to date?
Tigmanshu Dhulia's Woh Dus Din, a Star One telefilm, is surely my best work to date. Whenever the reruns are aired, people still call me up and praise my character of an inspector, Padmalaxmi.

Is there anything else on the cards?
There's a travel show, Musafir Hoon Yaaron, with Deepti Bhatnagar. We had a whale of a time traveling across Italy on a beautiful cruise.

Your equation with boyfriend Karan Grower?
Love is really beautiful. As for marriage, it's too early. Our careers have just started. We don't want to be like other couples who just do a Nach Balliye and then get married.