|
In
her early 20s, Nausheen Ali Sardar, the lead actress of Kkusum,
has seen success coming to her like God's blessings after
she was chosen to play the lead role in Ekta Kapoor's daily
soap, currently airing on Sony Entertainment Television.
Nausheen, a commerce graduate from MM College, Mumbai is not
quite your regular girl next door. Born to a Punjabi Muslim
father and an Iranian mother who have nothing to do with art
or the industry, Nausheen was always been inclined towards
acting and remembers her school days as being filled with
extracurricular activities such as elocution competitions
and fancy dress. Once she left school, she started modeling,
which she did for two years, chalking up several prestigious
ad films against her name, the Close Up toothpaste ad being
her first.
Nausheen's first video album was for Remo Fernandes - Ocean
Queen.
But she really got recognized after she featured in Altaf
Raja's famous Pehle
to Kabhi Kabhi Gum Tha.
Since then she's done Star
Best Sellers, X-Zone;
anchored music shows for etc and a serial on national broadcaster
Doordarshan for Farha Khan.
Nausheen Ali Sardar spoke to Gurpreet Tathgur
on her role of Kkusum,
her future plans and what she thinks about acting. Excerpts:
What brought you to acting?
I think acting was in my blood and I am very committed to
it. I like to emote and I am always transparent. I don't act,
I just feel. Acting is like oxygen to me and I love it.
Do you follow any particular genre of acting?
As a person I don't like to do the same thing. If I do too
much of comedy at the it gets too boring. The same goes with
emotional roles or any other role. I like to be versatile
in what I do. I don't follow any particular genre of acting.
I like to try my hand at all kinds of roles.
What do you think goes into being a successful actor?
One should be very hardworking and committed to his or
her work. Alertness and versatility really count. One has
to learn how to get into the mind of the character that he
or she is playing
|
'Alertness
and versatility really count. One has to learn how to
get into the mind of the character that he or she is
playing'
|
 |
Do you adhere to a given script or do you experiment?
I have a mutual understanding with the director and if
I am not comfortable with a given scene then I feel free to
approach the director with my problem and sometimes I do go
beyond it as acting comes naturally to me.
Who are your favorite actors?
My favourite actress is Nandita Puri. She is always encouraging
and helpful. She is just excellent on screen
How
did you get this role?
There was a nationwide audition for the role of Kkusum.
I went for the screen test and got selected.
What made you accept the offer?
It
was a role of "the girl next door" and I quite identify with
the role. I believe in quality and not quantity and I really
like the role.
How do you feel after taking it up?
When I got the role people kept telling me that I didn't
know what I had got and they said that you have got the cake...the
best role of the serial. But for me it was just another role.
And as I started working on my character, shooting everyday
I realized indeed it was the best and I'm really happy to
have got it and the way Kkusum's character has developed.
As an actor what is important to you before taking
up an assignment?
Most important for me is the story. I also see who the director
is, the set up of the serial and the role. The cameraman is
also one of the things I keep in my mind. It also makes a
lot of difference which channel the serial is going to be
aired on.
What do you look for in a script?
I always see what weight the script has. Why a particular
thing is happening, what has happened before and what will
happen after that. These things are vitally important to me.
How different are you from the character of Kkusum
that you play?
I closely identify myself with the role of Kkusum but
I would never accept my husband back after what Abhay (onscreen
husband) has done to Kkusum.
Do you often feel it would have been better if you
had acted out a scene in a different way?
I never feel that way. If I have any problem in acting
out a particular scene I talk to the director and discuss
my problem with him.
 |
'Most
important for me is the story. I also see who the director
is, the set up of the serial and the role'
|
Do you approach the director and discuss your doubts?
Most certainly I always do.
Were you always serious about acting?
Since my childhood I was always inclined towards acting. I
remember my school days were filled with extracurricular activities
such as elocution competitions, dramas and fancy dress.
What is your approach towards acting?
Acting is like action - reaction for me. I need a good
actor opposite me. If he or she acts well, I will react.
How would you define Kkusum?
Kkusum is hardworking, has a lot of self-respect. She
has no ego and is a typical Indian woman who thinks about
everyone but herself.
How would you describe Nausheen?
Nausheen would think about herself first. In the end all
that matters to her is that she should be happy.
Were
would you want to be in the next few years?
I
am satisfied with my work at present. I don't believe in planning
things in advance as plans usually flop.
Your
dream role?
I
would love to play a mute girl's role where I will have to
communicate through my eyes and facial expressions.
How do you perceive the television industry as a medium?
Television
has a wider audience and reaches more people. Every house
has a television and the end of the day the family sits and
watches TV. It is the best and the most widespread form of
communication.
What about acting do you dislike?
mmmmm….acting? I don't dislike anything about acting. Acting
gives me a very good high!
What
goes into enacting a character? How easy or difficult is it
to act?
Your hard work and dedication goes into enacting a particular
character. The only difficulty is being what you are not.
If I'm sad and I have to enact a very happy scene it gets
a bit difficult.
|
'If
I'm sad and I have to enact a very happy scene it gets
a bit difficult'
___________
|
A
Still from KKusum |
What
according to you made the character of Kkusum so popular
for the viewers?
She is today's woman-independent, hard working… an all-rounder.
She is a superwoman. That's what people like in her and that
is the sole reason why she is so popular.
Are
you a director's actor or actors' actor?
I am both. If the director wants me to do a particular thing
as he wants it, I will do it. And if there is a time when
I feel that what he is telling me is not right or will not
be appropriate, I won't do it. There is a mutual understanding
between the director and me. And I maintain a balance.
Apart
from Kkusum you have even featured in couple of ads.
How different are they … which one do you prefer?
I like everything but I prefer to do ads as they are short
and sweet.(laughs)
Any plans to join the film industry?
If I get offers from Rajshri and Yashraj films I would most
certainly do it. As of now there are
no plans of doing films.
Tell me something about your forthcoming projects?
There are a couple of them, but I would prefer not talking
about them right now. I am a bit superstitious.
What is your first priority-family or career?
It is a very difficult question. I maintain a balance between
both. As a kid I always used to do the things that I was asked
not to do. And if my family asks me today to leave my career,
I would not.
A Still from KKusum |
'One
should always believe in quality and not quantity because
it is always good quality work that matters in the end'
|
When you are not working, what do you do?
If I am not shooting, which I hardly do, I am relaxing at
home watching TV. I prefer staying at home and if I get a
jhatka once in a blue moon, I go out with my close friends
to a disco. My social life are my friends and I am very lucky
to have good friends.
Define Nausheen in one line.
Straight forward.
What is your advice to aspiring actors?
I have only one advice for all aspiring actors and actresses,
one should always believe in quality and not quantity because
it is always good quality work that matters in the end.
|
