Television actor Kritika talks about her experience with the paranormal, her journey with KTLK and her relationship status…
The vivacious actor Kritika Kamra wants to stay a mile away from saas bahu sagas and prefers roles that reflect her real age. Most recently seen in Kuch Toh Log Kahenge as Dr Nidhi, she is all set to go on a long vacation after the show ends. She spoke to BollywoodLife about her stint on Life OK and Ekta Kapoor’s Ek Thhi Naayka…
What kind of research did you do for Ek Thhi Naayka?
To be honest, I did not do any homework for this role. You don’t need any research to play the heroine – after all, we’ve been doing it for so many years now! It would have been a different story if we were playing the daayans.
So would you like to play a daayan?
Of course, why not! I’d love to play a daayan if I was being launched in grand style.
Do you believe in the paranormal?
Yes, I do believe in supernatural things, because you hear so many stories about it that you are forced to believe in them. Moreover, it interests the human psyche.
Have you experienced anything supernatural?
It happens to me now and then, but it turns out to be some polythene under my bed or some breeze – nothing interesting to talk about really.
What has your journey been like with Kuch Toh Log Kahenge?
The KTLK journey from start to finish has been a memorable one. We’ve managed to keep the flow and the flavour of the show since we started, minus a few ups and downs, but I don’t consider TRPs the deciding factor. The show has been consistent, which is something very difficult for most shows to achieve in television. So hats off to the team of KTLK to be able to do that.
Who is the better co-star as Dr Ashutosh – Sharad Kelkar or Mohnish Behl?
That is such a difficult and unfair question! I really cannot choose. I started working with Mohnishji and it was great experience ‘coz he is someone I have grown up watching – and I got to work with him! As for Sharad, he is one of the most easygoing co-actors you can ever have. He is a fun person to work with, so that way I have been very lucky.
What have you learnt about being a doctor after KTLK?
I think I knew more about medicine before I did this show. My dad is a doctor, so I knew a little bit about it. But on television, you can’t really get into the knick-knacks of the field. I mean we don’t do as many surgeries; we are mostly doing love scenes.
How will KTLK end? Will Dr Nidhi have a baby?
You will have to watch it to find out! As for Dr. Nidhi having a baby – do you really want her to? I have not even become a full-fledged doctor yet. Currently there is too much happening in their lives; I do not know when they will even get time to have a baby. But if it’s the demand of the story then I am alright with it.
What are your plans after Kuch Toh Log Kahenge?
After Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, I am busy with Ek Thhi Naayka. Frankly, I have no time or space in my schedule. After that, I need a big long vacation.
Don’t you think that with your absence people may forget you?
I am not scared of dying out, ‘coz I have been doing shows that bring me before the viewers every day. It’s over-exposure, frankly, that one should worry about when it comes to television. We as actors have to keep things interesting and do shows that keep us going, otherwise life could get very monotonous. We need to keep refreshing ourselves.
Didn’t you ever consider doing saas bahu serials?
The saas bahu saga was something that I consciously stayed away from. TV has treated me well; look at me today – I am standing with the iconic bahus of the television industry in spite of doing only what I wanted to do. I have been doing only young and bubbly roles; I may have been criticised for it, but the love and adulation counts for a lot more.
Do you think the Indian television is regressive?
Yes, I definitely think so. At least, some of it is still regressive. When you’ve grown up watching international television, it does feel that TV here is regressive, but then so is our cinema. However, movies have a parallel side and I am sure the same thing will happen to TV eventually. But of course it’s all businesses at the end of the day and we have to keep in mind the needs of our viewers.
What’s your relationship status?
I am single and ready to mingle. I do not mind dating anybody, but that doesn’t mean I will date just any random person. The tarot reader just told me that I would meet my Mr Right in five months. So I am going to doll up every day now!
You are a youth icon – what is your message to the women of today?
To the women of all generations – they should stop sacrificing their needs and desires. We’ve seen it in our homes, on television and in cinema – the cost of glorifying a woman is too high. We are expected to be some sort of devis. I think people should get real and treat women as real and equals.