Manasi Joshi Roy, Tassnim Sheikh, Keerti Gaekwad Kelkar, TV actresses who had taken a break are back

Tassnim Sheikh  
Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi

The actress, best remembered for her role as Mohini in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, made a comeback after eight years with Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi. Tassnim had taken a break when she was six months pregnant with her daughter when she was doing Kis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil.  And after the birth of her daughter Tia, she didn’t feel like leaving her and getting back to work for almost eight years. “I enjoyed spending all my time with my little bundle of joy and never thought about work. But it was ultimately my daughter who inspired me to return to work. One of her friends in the school told her that I was an actress. Her mother had seen me in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and told her that every time I entered, a signature tune would play in the background. When Tia came home, she asked me about it. I showed her some of my serials on YouTube. After that, she told me I should start acting again!” And, that’s how Tassnim who had been getting offers zeroed in on Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi. “My main criteria was it should be shot nearby and not in far-flung places like Naigaon. Also, I play a strong negative character, but there are several shades to her,” she says. Though she developed cold feet about facing the camera after such a long gap, once she was on the sets, it all came back to her. She says, “I knew the camera angles, cues, etc and knew this was my pitch where I could hit sixers!”    

Keerti Gaekwad Kelkar 
Sasural Simar Ka

It’s after seven years that Keerti, who was last seen in Chhoti Bahu as Mrinalini Purohit, made a comeback with Sasural Simar Ka. She replaced Dipika Kakar in the title role. Keerti had taken a sabbatical from TV to take care of her daughter Kesha, who is three years old now. “I had thought then that when my daughter starts schooling and is settled in a routine, I will think of work. Now, she has started going to school, and it was she who told me she wanted to see me act. She has seen her papa (Sharad Kelkar) on TV, now she wanted to see me,” says Keerti. As for choosing a show that was already on air, the actress says she looks at it positively. “There’s no negativity (because Dipika had already quit the show before Keerti stepped in), the whole atmosphere on the sets is positive. It’s a cult show and a legacy that I am taking forward. Also, the role has a lot of possibilities for me as an actor. And now, that I am a mom I can relate to the feeling of Simar who as a mother will do anything for her kids.” As for facing the camera after so long, she says, she felt comfortable from day one. “It felt like I was back where I belong and the seven years  just vanished,” she smiles.

Prachee Shah Pandya 
Ek Shringar-Swabhimaan

She was last seen in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon four years ago, and that too in a cameo. Her last full-fledged role was in Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam seven years ago. Now, Prachee has returned with Ek Shringar­—Swabhimaan where she plays the protagonist. It’s about a single mother who despite hardships is determined to get her two daughters educated. Says Prachee who is also cultural ambassador of Kathak, “I was pursuing my career as a Kathak dancer and travelled to seven countries on a 50-day tour. In between I did films like ABCD 2 and Sanam Re, too. Also, I wasn’t getting anything on TV which was worth putting aside my other commitments.

My daughter is eight years old and as your child grows you need to be around.” However, when she got an offer from Sooraj Barjatya for the serial, she says, “I just couldn’t help but take it up. Besides, it brought me back as the central protagonist after Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam.” She completely identifies with the characteristics of her on screen character. “Whatever be the situation, Sharda is always calm. Even I would rather take five minutes and think before reacting to anything,” says Prachee who attained fame as Pooja Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.  

Manasi Joshi Roy
Dhai Kilo Prem

She is making a comeback to TV after 10 years! Manasi Joshi Roy was last seen in Kkusum as far as fiction shows go and Nach Baliye in which she participated with her husband Rohit. Now, she will be back on the small-screen with Dhai Kilo Prem. She says, “I didn’t find anything interesting after Kkusum. For Dhai Kilo Prem, Sandeep Sikcand, who is producing the show with Ekta Kapoor, said this role was written with me in mind. He was adamant that I do it.” Manasi plays the mother of the male lead in the serial which is a love story of an overweight boy and girl. “I play a protective mom, who apart from sharing a lovely relationship with the girl, has a little graph of her own. It’s not a conventional saas-bahu soap, but slice-of-life.” says Manasi. On the first day of shoot, the actress was apprehensive and a little nervous about facing the camera. “Thoughts about how I am looking, how I will come across, how will I cope as an actor, etc played on my mind, but the next day I was at ease. It’s like riding a bicycle, once you learn it, you never forget.” About playing a mother to a 24-year-old boy, Manasi says she has no issues. “Even in Kkusum, when I was much younger, I played mother to Aashka Goradia. I am an actor and as long as the character makes sense to me, I am okay with it. Also, I have a 14-year-old daughter and that helps when I enact these roles.”

Others who are back

Shweta Kawatraa —  Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat

Though she is not returning to TV, Shweta Kawatraa who became a household name as Pallavi Aggarwal (Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii) is set to do a web series  Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat. It will reunite her with her Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii co-star  Sakshi Tanwar.

Sweta Keswani — The Blacklist

The actress, who was known for her negative roles in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, is making her US TV debut. Last seen in Adaalat, Sweta is now doing gearing up to do the hit series The Blacklist.