Sparsh Khanchandani, better known as Iccha, was only seven when she burst on to the telly scene with 'Uttaran'. The little actress went on to do a dance reality show, 'Zara Nachke Dikha', episodics in CID and Dill Mill Gaye before bagging a role in another daily soap 'Parvarrish — Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi'. Now, Sparsh has dreams of becoming an IAS officer. Her role model is none other than the feisty Kiran Bedi.
"I was a six-year-old kid when I saw my mama's friend's son in an ad; I thought even I should be seen on TV. At that time, I had perfect milk teeth and long, beautiful hair. With the help of my mother's friend, we managed to give some auditions. I got a call for Kelloggs and Clinic Plus ads but by the time I met them, some of my teeth had fallen and I had this one bad, crooked tooth! And I was rejected. I was extremely disappointed and dejected.
After a few days, the coordinator who had helped us with auditions told us that the 'Uttaran' people were looking for two seven-year-old girls. But by then I had given up, I didn't want to go through another rejection. However, the coordinator insisted and we travelled from Ulhasnagar to Andheri. I was one of the 5,000 girls who auditioned for the roles. I had gone with least expectations, but I was among the three short listed girls! I was sure I wouldn't get the rich girl's role but had enough self believe that I'd play poor Iccha. Ishita (Panchal) essayed the rich Tapasya's role.
When I saw the first big hoarding which had me wearing a frock and shoes without laces, I had a surreal feeling. I couldn't believe it and told my mother to quickly pinch me! Initially, we had signed a contract for 15 episodes, but after three days I signed for another 50 episodes. Later, it went on to 135 episodes.
However, I never experienced fame. My friends kept me grounded. I used to attend school in the morning and go for the shoot in the afternoon. During breaks, I would be eating with one hand and writing my notes with the other. Initially, my friends taunted me saying that since I had become a star I wasn't mingling with them. But when they realised that I was just finishing my homework, they started helping me with my notes. Also, since I was always good at performing arts in school, TV was just an extension.
I have to thank Ravindra uncle (director Ravindra Gautam) for helping me get into the character of Iccha. Bringing out that innocence and ignorance was difficult. Iccha always wanted to have laddoos and cakes. I, too, like sweets... they would keep those things in front of me but wouldn't allow me to eat. So, all those cravings and emotions came out naturally on screen!
After 'Uttaran', I got really tired and started shooting stand-alone episodes. I did a cameo in 'Dil Mill Gaye' and was really happy playing a rich girl for a change. Then I did CID again, as a rich girl. And by then I got bored of playing a rich girl.
It was destiny that I got a call from Lucy Liu who was making her Bollywood directorial debut. She was making a film on human trafficking based on a real story and called me for an audition. I enjoyed the audition process because I didn't want to say any dialogues; I had to only dance, do something funny, laugh and cry. I bagged the film 'Meena' and it did the rounds of international festivals. I was nine years old then and by then I had learnt how to read a script. And it was really traumatic to read the story. For a few hours, I was sitting in the vanity van in a state of shock. But then I thought about the girl who had gone through the terrible thing, put myself in her shoes and took on the challenge.
By the time I did 'Parrvarish', I was in 7th standard. Now, I am in the ninth and TV is a complete no-no for me. I may do a film if I get a good role or ads because they don't take too much time. But only for the next six months. These are my crucial years and I want to focus on my studies. I want to be an IAS officer. Kiran Bedi is my role model and I want to emulate her."
— As told to Chaya Unnikrishnan
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