"Not too old, nor too young"

She has done over 150 films, in six languages, she has also appeared in theatre productions, and now the lady has

Rati Agnihotri: taking on the small screen with 'Sixer'

plunged into television with vehemence! It seems to be quite a task to juggle all three mediums, but not for the versatile Rati Agnihotri. As we speak to her, we see none of the star attitude that is so much a part of television today --- she smiles, she laughs and she makes her point in style. She shows in more ways than one that she is a star and she is here to stay! In a candid interview with Ananya Sengupta, Rati Agnihotri speaks about her priorities and her decision to make a foray into tellydom.

Why wait for such a long time to take on television?
Well, I was doing too many things for a very long time. I didn't want to take up something by sacrificing my other commitments. Loyalty is important to me.

So, Sixer with Manish Goswami…
I can't talk about it much. It's a weekly, one hour show on Star One. Cricket is the main theme, but there are other tracks running parallel to the main track. I play mother to one of the characters.

You are playing a mother, how different is the role?
Times have changed. No longer is there a certified vamp, our heroines are versatile enough to do do these roles, which in our days was a complete no-no. I would like to call myself as a character artiste now --- all my roles are not that of a typical mother, I play strong independent characters who can hold their own in any given situation.

You have done all mediums, how are they different from one another?
I completely disagree with those who say that acting across mediums is the same. On the big screen, one has to be subtle, while on the stage, one has to be more pronounced, louder and alert. As far as television is concerned, I have no clue…

Rati playing mother to Kajol

So you haven't shot for Sixer as yet?
No, I will start shooting by the end of the month. I am looking forward to it.

You will be part of a cricket based serial, do you watch the game?
I not only watch the game I adore it...which Indian does not?

You are doing films, theatre and now television, where do you get the time to do all this?
Time management, my dear! That's the only answer. These three are not the only things that I do. I handle the creative aspect of my husband's business; I take time out to work for causes that I believe in and above everything else I am with my family whenever I want to be….most of the time!

But…how do you manage all this?
That is why I have refused all offers of dailies. They tend to take away all your time. But you know, I manage because I don't leave anything to chance. I sit on everything myself, that way I am in control of things --- I don't keep my days jam-packed with work, that way if anything new comes up, I can make adjustments. I goof up sometimes, but then I have only myself to blame. Anyways I am not old too old, not young too young, as they say! (laughs) and as long as I am not too old I want to continue doing all three. I am a performer, an actor I want to explore as many platforms as I possibly can.

But where is the time for personal stuff...
My son is in college and he works as well, it's part of his advertising course and my husband is travelling all the time, I get time to work and whenever they are free, we hang out together!