Sunday, 16 May 2021 | Shalini Saksena
TALKTIME
SHEFALI JARIWALA | The Kaanta Laga girl, who was part of Bigg Boss 13, speaks with Shalini Saksena about how she ended up doing the music video that propelled her into the industry.
Tell us about your experience of being part of Bigg Boss 13.
That was of course, was back in 2019. There was no Bigg Boss in 2020 for obvious reasons. I would say that 2021 is also turning out to be like 2020. To come back to Bigg Boss, the experience was fantastic. It was not the first time that I was offered to part of this reality show. I was offered Bigg Boss 1 and since then it came to me almost every year. But I kept turning it down. I was not ready to be part of the show till 2019. It is a very intense game that one needs to be ready for. When it came to me again, my gut told to be go ahead with it. I am glad that I did it since it is the only season to have the highest rating. I had a lot of fun of doing it.
What was the take away from it?
Now that the season is behind me, I can think of only good things it brought me — the good changes. It makes you realise how important family is. One is cut off from the world when one is in the House. You are living is a beautiful luxurious house but there are a lot of restrictions and limitations. It is about survival of the fittest. One has to be prepared to be part of it because it can take a toll on you mentally.
You kept refusing and said yes to Season 13. What was the attraction?
I do follow my gut and intuition when it comes to choosing projects. When I was offered the season, I was ready and there was something in me that told me to go for it. I had been offered so many times and felt this was like a now or never for me.
You did Nach Baliye as well.
In Nach Baliye, I was in my zone. I was known for my dancing. I think I am the only one to have been part of the show twice. It was great to dance with Parag, him being a non-dancer. It was tough to make him get up and dance and I have such love for it.
You have done a few reality shows? What’s your take on them? Does it help get noticed in the right circles?
The people who have already been established are the ones who get an opportunity to show another side to you. Reality show are great but it is different from a talent-based reality show. Shows like this come to artists who are somewhat established. Reality shows, on the other hand give you the opportunity to showcase your talent and get noticed. Bigg Boss does give you an opportunity to stand out, garner attention and have a large fan following. But matters is what you do after that to achieve a high.
Does it bother you that people still think of you are the Kaanta Laga girl?
Not at all. Just the opposite. it is wonderful. People spend years to create an identity and with my very first song I was able to make such a strong one and no mater what I did after that, I would forever be the Kaanta Laga girl and there is only one Kaanta Laga girl in the whole wide world. I am proud to have this tag. It makes me happy that after so many years, people still enjoy the song.
Did you think that the song would be such a hit?
Forget back then, it feels so surreal that the song garnered so much attention even today. I find it difficult to believe the popularity and success of the song. I was just a college girls when she was spotted outside her college and offered the music. I had no aspirations to be part of the industry. I did purely because I wanted to be seen on TV.
How did you end up doing a music album?
I was sitting outside my college when I was spotted by director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru. I was not even looking my best that day but they probably felt I fit the bill. Back then songs were made like films. We spent two-three months preparing. I was such a spoilt brat and didn’t understand the seriousness of the work. It was only when the song became hot that I understood. It was such a fairy tale for me — a Gujarati girl from a middle class family became a star overnight.
What was about the album that made you join the industry?
I would say it was my calling. The album was destined to happen because of the way things unfolded and it carved a path for me. Once the song became popular I felt it was something that I was good at, be a good dancer than an engineer. From the dancer, I branched out and did two web series and looking forward to more projects.
Things have once again come to a standstill for the industry. How are you coping?
I have understood that I need to deal with the situation since I am not alone. I do have a few projects but they are on hold. Jaan hai to jahan hai. Money can be earned again. Staying safe is the need of the hour.
