She’s played the most lovable maternal characters on the big and small screens. Now, Farida Jalal is returning to TV with a new show, Satrangi Sasural, in which she plays a grandmother who rules over the household.
Unlike her previous jovial, effervescent avatars however, she will be portraying a sterner character this time round.
“This is a very different role and that’s why I agreed to do it,” says Farida. “I have to portray a very stern role Dadi Ma doesn’t speak much, she doesn’t laugh much.
Unlike me, she is very serious. With this part, I can say that I’m actually acting as our personalities are as different as chalk from cheese.”
Satrangi Sasural depicts the story of Aarushi, who marries Vihaan, and gets not one, but seven mothers in law.
Farida says her character is shown to be very influential in Vihaan’s life and always encourages him to take a mature point of view when dealing with challenges: “She is a strong woman who binds the family together.”
Apart from the chance to take on a very different role, Farida says the presence of the show’s writer, Purnendu Sarkar, was definitely a motivating factor in agreeing to do Satrangi Sasural.
“Purnendu and I go back a long way. He is a prolific writer and I knew I should be part of the show if he was involved,” Farida says.
Purnendu wasn’t the only team member Farida had worked with before. She was joined in the cast by Bhavna Balsavar the duo had last worked together in the popular ’90s comic series Dekh Bhai Dekh.
What was it like, working together after so many years? “She is as lovely as before,” Farida says. “The surprising thing is she is still punctual and reports to the sets on time. The team has a joke Bhavna aa gayi matlab 9 baj gaye!”
Farida has had a long innings in both films and TV. Which medium does she now prefer? “I don’t know who has bracketed it this way, but for an artiste it’s not about TV or film or theatre.
It’s all about acting and doing justice to a character,” she asserts. “As for me, I’m happiest when I’m in front of the camera.”
