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ShareMansi Parekh feels that playing Chandni in 'India Calling' is a lot about breaking stereotypes
You're a Gujarati andyou play a typical 'Punjab di kudi' - what is it like?
It's great fun! I come from a totally different background and I watched a lot of Sridevi's films like 'Chandni' and 'Lamhe' where she has played a North Indian girl despite being a Tamilian. I also watched the hosts of 'Alpha Punjabi' and tried to adopt their body language, accent and style of speaking.
How different is Chandni from Mansi?
Chandni is from Punjab whereas I am from Mumbai. I am not as overtly patriotic or a stickler for traditional Indian values as she is. But I guess I'm as chirpy, gutsy and as intelligent as her.
Chandni gasps every time she faces a sticky situation and it's always the same look. Why?
That's just the way Chandni reacts. I didn't build that trait deliberately. It has got to do with the fact that this character is emotionally expressive - that is why she stares that way.
What is the strength of 'India Calling'?
I don't want to sound clichéd by saying that this is a 'zara hat ke' show. But yes, there is no heavy background music in our show, no melodramatic outbursts. The emotions are treated very delicately. Usually a plain Jane is shown as being morally upright. But Chandni is funky and has tons of attitude. Shristi Arya, the producer, treats her dailies differently. She has this feel for contemporary, urban stories that the young can relate to.
Is it to be a Mills & Boons take-off on call centres?
I don't think so. We are not presenting a 'wow' picture about call-centres by showing what a cool work place it is and how much you can earn there. We are tackling issues like stress factors and odd working hours. The love story is yet to develop. It's again not one of those 'pehle inkaar phir ikraar' formulaic love-plots.
Has life's been a bed of roses since the show?
Everything has its pros and cons. You have got to live with the positive and negative. I am thankful I am working with a wonderfully professional unit and have never faced a single awkward moment. Everyone is friendly but it depends on you how to keep that safe distance. So far it's really been nice working with Rose Movies.
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