'Bollywood gives step-motherly treatment to TV actors'

     New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) Despite delivering an impressive performance in Rituparno Ghosh's “Raincoat” in 2004, TV actress Mouli Ganguly, says Bollywood doesn't take TV actors seriously.

     “It's not easy for TV actors to enter the Hindi film industry. They are usually given a step motherly treatment. If you are okay with the roles in films of a sister, aunt and such meagre roles, then being on TV might help but it's not the same if you want to play a key role in movies,” Mouli told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

     As part of her Bollywood stint, the actress has even played a central character in a short film, “68 Pages”, which was based on the lives of five HIV positive individuals. Besides, she will also be seen in a Bollywood film “It's A Man's World” next year.

     Mouli's claim to fame on the small screen was her role as Shaina Sikand on Ekta Kapoor's popular show “Kahin Kissi Roz”, after which she played myriad roles in shows like “Sarrkar”, “Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam” and “Saakshi”.

     She feels that the audience starts associating an actor with his character, if he plays it for a long times and it works well.

     “I feel this is a positive thing to some extent since that way people start recognizing you. It gives identity to an actor.

     “However, one should know when to move out of that image. Its important to keep reinventing yourself and that'll only happen when you don't let yourself get typecast in one kind of roles for a long time,” she added.

     Mouli was completely out of the radar for one year, when she returned with “Aathva Vachan” on Sony entertainment television. She is a part of the fourth season of celebrity reality dance show “Nach Baliye”, where she has participated with her beau Mazher.

     In “Aathva Vachan”, a show about the bond between two sisters - one of whom is mentally unstable, Mouli plays the elder sister. She is being appreciated for her role.

     “I accepted the show since I had already taken a year's break. Also, the role was short and sweet. I liked my character especially the bond between the two sisters. If I was the audience, I would love to see a show like this,” Mouli said.

     Besides, Mouli is also enjoying her stint on “Nach Baliye 4”, which is her first reality show. She and her partner Mazher are receiving rave reviews from the judges for their performances.

     “It's something very new. What excites me is that on the same show I get to wear so many moods, looks and attitudes. I can't do that in my soaps,” Mouli said.

     Indo-Asian News Service

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