I would rather be an A-Lister on TV than do one film and come back, says Mouni Roy

She slithered her way into the viewers’s hearts playing the beautiful icchadari naagin and now Mouni Roy is turning host with the Indian version of the international dance  show So You Think You Can Dance. Mouni is one of the few actresses who has sustained and been among the top TV actresses for over a decade. Starting with the popular daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi where she played Krishna Tulsi, Mouni went on to do serials like Kasturi and Junoon — Aisi Nafrat, Toh Kaisa Ishq. Her role as Sati in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev was appreciated both for her performance and pairing with Mohit Raina who played Shiva. Their on-screen chemistry extended to real-life and both are said to be in a relationship though neither has confirmed it. Even here, the actress talks about her other passion — that of dancing and Naagin being the most challenging role of her career.

When you got the offer to host So You Think You Can Dance, did you immediately say yes?

No, I was a little sceptical because I have never hosted a show. But I thought if I were ever to start hosting, it had to be with something like this because I love dancing. However, when I went on the sets, I was nervous to begin with. 

When it comes to singing, dancing and acting I am confident, I know I can manage. But hosting is a completely new area for me. When I saw people jumping and dancing, I felt I belonged here. I was then sure that if I had to host a show nothing could have been than this show. I am blessed with a good team, and they have been supportive. Right now, the auditions are on and for me it is like a training period. Besides, the talent - the kind of dancers - I have seen here is tremendous. I am keeping my fingers crossed. 

Your show naagin is very popular. Tell us your experience playing the role?

It’s great that the show is so popular. We are all proud of the show. Every member of the show from the spot boy to the director has put his heart and soul in it and that’s why it feels so nice when it is appreciated. As for playing a naagin it is very difficult and challenging. From diving in the water, being buried, killing people, hanging on harness to shooting  in the scorching sun wearing lycra clothes - it has been very difficult. That is why the appreciation feels good.

So will you be part of Naagin’s season 2 as well because there are reports of you being replaced with Radhika Madan?

I can’t comment on that yet.

Does playing a naagin clash with your sensibilities?

As far as sensibilities go, from the beginning of the show we have made it clear that it is a fantasy show and these things don’t exist. We are not here to propagate a myth or trying to sell you something saying ‘you didn’t know it, but this is true. That’s where the sensibilities come in. At the same time when you talk of Indian folklore naagins have been there from time immemorial like Western mermaids vampires and draculas. It takes you to another world where there are icchadari naagins and where random stuff happens. I myself enjoy watching a lot of fantasy fiction whether it’s Vampire Diaries, The Twilight Saga and Witches Of The East End. It takes you away from the mundane into a fantasy zone.

How do you keep yourself fit to do all the stunts in the serial?

I don’t do anything. In fact, right now  I am eating keep French fries with peri peri (laughs). I feel I have put on a little weight and after Naagin and I intend to lose the extra kilos after the show. However, I try and keep myself hydrated with water. I feel if your metabolism is good and you detox with liquids, it’s good enough.

You have sustained yourself on the top for over a decade. What is your secret?

I think it’s more to do with destiny then me. I have chosen shows on the basis of what I do well. My first show (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi) just happened. But one should know what kind of personality you have and which character will look good at or the one you can pull off. I do justice to the character that I play. I give 200 per cent during the shoot, come back home and not fret about it. In TV you are as big as your show. Once your show ends you are back to finding another one. Yes God has been very kind that I have been part of good projects. I work very hard on my shows, put my heart and soul into it because if I don’t do it convincingly, how will the others be convinced?

What about films? Aren’t you looking at foraying into Bollywood?

I am not a very ambitious person, but yes since I work in this field I want do better work. But I don’t want to just do a film for the sake of it. I am not saying I want to do a film with a huge production house or a big director, but it has to substantial, otherwise there’s no point. I would rather be an A-lister on TV than do one film and come back. I am very happy in the space I am now. I know times are going to change and I won’t get the kind of roles I am doing now. But then I want to do other stuff too. Eventually, I want to write a book.

What kind of book?

Let’s see, but for sure it will be fiction and a love story.

Do you read a lot?

Yes, I just finished Paulo Coelho’s The Witch Of Portebello and I will start Salvation Of A Saint by Keigo Higashino.

Lastly, three have been reports about you getting close to your Naagin co-star Arjun Bijlani...

(Cuts in ) What are you asking? If not a co-star, he would have been my brother. He is married and I am close to his whole family. How can you write such things, you have to think of a girl’s reputation!