Actor Tina Parakh

Having made quite a few appearances on television, she is now getting noticed and getting her dues. Shy and reticent, this psychology graduate from Mumbai's Mithibai College has won the hearts of everyone who is glued to the television at prime time. Alongside, she has also had her tryst with Bollywood!An aspiring model, she has tried her hand at ads, modelling and now is a known face on the small screen. Tina Parakh who has come as a whiff of fresh air in Balaji Telefilms' rejuvenated Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (KGGK) as 'Shruti' has won many a hearts. After acting in serials like Dollar Bahu, Astitva, Kehta Hai Dil, Khichdi, Mansha and Kahaani Terri Merri this petite actress is open to anything that comes her way from serials to films. Fabulous looks and straightforward answers, she seems a perfect blend of beauty and honesty.

Excerpts from an interview with indiantelevision.com's Vickey Lalwani:


How did television happen?
By accident (laughs). After my college was over, I wanted to get into Public Relations (PR). But, I had some friends who had were into modelling. I used to go with them for auditions and it started rubbing on me. I was very impressed by the way models/actors say their lines and start screaming or laughing in front of so many people, without batting an eyelid or raising sweat.


And you went in for your first audition?
You guessed it right. Actually during one of my visits with my friends at an audition, I started giggling at someone who was auditioning. The person in charge asked me if I wanted to try my hand at acting. I did not.

Later, they called me. I went, but still did not give the audition. You can say I developed cold feet. After coming home, I decided that it was high time I opened up. And I told my dad that I wanted to get my portfolio done! (smiles).


  "I left 'Mansha' because it was difficult for me to handle two dailies at a time"


So did your parents encourage you?
A few teething problems, but I convinced my dad and got my portfolio done. 15 days later, I got my first ad - 'Shapers'. 10 days thereafter, I got to do a music video (Collosus). A few days later, I was offered a serial titled Hip Hip Hurray- Part 2. And since then there has been no looking back.

Thereafter, I did Dollar Bahu, Astitva, Kehta Hai Dil and Khichdi. Ekta saw me in Khichdi and Kehta Hai Dil, and called me for Kahaani Terri Merri (KTM) but unfortunately the serial didn't do well. Later, she called me for Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. Lately, I did Mansha too.


But now you are no more seen in Mansha?
I left Mansha. My contract was for 64 episodes. Mansha has now tuned into a daily. Originally, it was not. So it was difficult for me to handle two dailies at a time.


Have you had any formal training in acting?
No. My audition, portfolio, first ad, music video, serials - all happened so quickly and one after the other that it didn't leave me with any time for acting classes.


Why did KTM flop so badly? Were you disappointed that it was taken off abruptly?
Of course I was disappointed. But I wouldn't be the right person to comment on why it didn't do well or why it was taken off air. Anyways, people are quite liking its re-runs nowadays. Tastes change with time, I guess.


"Most of the characters on television are not realistic but make-believe"


You consider KGGK as your biggest break?
I started getting noticed from the days I played Mellisa in Khichdi and Tara in KTM. But yes, this being a bigger serial because of its high viewership and my role is central as I play Om and Parvati's daughter, KGGK can be termed as my biggest break.


Do you think that KGGK needed to jump 18-years ahead?
Definitely. People may have been watching it because it had become a habit. But how long could that have bound the audience? New characters and tracks were needed. People were tired and a certain amount of freshness was lacking.

Generation X in the serial gives ample scope to satisfy those requirements. Earlier the viewers mostly comprised mothers, fathers and grandparents. But with this 18 year leap and the fresh plot even the youngsters have started watching it.

Ekta Kapoor's Heroes

Mihir Virani, Anuraag Basu, Sujal Garewal, Shiv Kapoor, Jai Walia, Pradham Mithal, Kavya, Mr. Bajaj, Karan Virani so goes the roll of those who made their way to our homes with their endearing ways and charming guise. Ekta Kapoor's heroes as they are popularly branded have marketed images, which have gone on to become icons. Each character typifies a particular trait and echoes certain ideals despite many shortcomings. The serials with the time leaps have advanced over a period of time, so also the characters growing with every passing age with the audience tracing their trajectory of growth.

Ekta's men, her devoted army of talented heroes has always worked hard enough to catapult the serials to the top slot with the TRPs soaring high. Ronit Roy, Cezanne Khan, Rajeev Khandelwal, Iqbal Khan, Ram Kapoor, Hiten Tejwani, Ejaz Khan and others like Shabbir Ahluwalia, Akashdeep Saigal, Yash Tonk, Manoj Bohra, etc, are some of the most sought after celebrities on the small screen. Glamorous looks, muscular bodies, stylish clothes, chocolate hero or macho image completes it all. The popularity and star status they enjoy is immense as evident from the much talked about issue of the onscreen death of the character Mihir Virani, later brought back to life on popular demand! The actors have immortalized certain characters, which have taken on a life-like stature.

The hush-hush meeting between television actor Iqbal Khan and Balaji Telefilms' head Ekta Kapoor, who were said to have fallen out,abuzz                                    

'All I can say is Ekta and I met with the same warmth affection and feeling of solidarity as we did in the past. There's absolutely no ill-will between us. I don't know why some sections of the press are trying to sour things between us by writing about showdowns. We never had a showdown,' Iqbal told IANS.

'My decision to leave Balaji has nothing to do with any differences between us. I am taking a break because I've been working non-stop for two years.

'The fact is I was a flop actor when Ekta's company gave me 'Kaisa Yeh Pyarr Hai'. Whatever I am today I owe to Ekta. And I'm not going to be one of those actors who starts to bad-mouth her after leaving Balaji,' said Iqbal, who met his mentor last week.

Though Iqbal rules out the chance of an early return to Balaji, there's no doubt that the doors are not shut for the actor.

Iqbal is now busy preparing for his marriage to fianc?Sneha.

'Only our immediate families - her parents and mine - will be present for the nikaah. After that, we'll proceed to register our marriage. If I had my way, I'd just go straight to the registrar's office and be done with it.'

Iqbal intends to have a large wedding reception for family and friends. Will Ekta be present?

'By all means. She has to come. Ekta has always supported me. And I won't let that change,' said Iqbal emotionally.

Ekta kapoor in "nip tucks"

Blimey!
I am Gobsmacked, just kept looking at the picture. Go on you can also take a very close look. its no morphing. its real Ekta Kapoor flaunting her assets.

Everything is intact, I mean tilak, boobs and black colour dress, but where's the bloody bra?
Is she trying to be Janet Jackson or just age taking over her? I wonder who will play the role of Justin Timberlake to pop out those "nip tucks". May be Mukesh Ambani (her confession on KWK).

Can somebody please remind her she is in India?
Is she really sooooooo desperate?

Any suggestions!! Sunita Menon.