I wish I could be a part of Kumkum Bhagya

Kajol Srivastava shot to fame with her role as “Devi” in the periodical drama ‘Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat’. She was initially finalised to play the character of Bulbul in ‘Kumkum Bhagya’, that never happened, but then the makers of ‘Chakravartin…’ took her on for the role of Ashoka’s wife, making her a household name.

Why did you quit ‘Kumkum Bhagya’?
I signed the show in December last year and they said that shooting will commence in the same month. However, even after three months, the shoot did not start. After all, who doesn’t want to work with Ekta Kapoor and that too, on a big project like ‘Kumkum Bhagya’! But later there was no call from them and I also wanted to try my luck in other production houses,

so I asked them whether I can give auditions for other shows and they said: “You can, but don’t forget you have a major show in your hands.” I gave auditions for ‘Begusarai’, ‘Vishkanya’, which I really wanted to do and next was ‘Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat’. So when I bagged the role in ‘Chakravartin…’ I quit the show for which I did not even shoot.

What made you choose the role in ‘Chakravartin…’?
First of all, as I said I got selected in the auditions. It all happened suddenly. Secondly, ‘Chakravartin…’ is a huge show. Every actor’s dream is to be a part of periodical show. I lost one major show from my hand but at the same time, I got a chance in such a big show. It is a famous show not only in India but all over the world. Yes, I’m sad that I’m not part of ‘Kumkum Bhagya’. If I get a chance to work with Balaji in future, I will surely work for them. But then everything happens for a reason I guess.

Is it easy to portray the role of Devi?
No. It is not. I’m not like Devi at all. I’m an introvert with a shy personality. Devi is voluble, notorious and she wants to know each and everything that is happening around her. She asks a lot of questions about the people whom she meets. She likes to solve puzzles of life. So for me, it is an onerous situation to be like Devi.

Do you feel insecure while working with Mohit and Somya?
No. Not at all! From day one I was given same importance as they get. Mohit and Somya are very down to earth and very cooperative. Mohit is introvert like me. So there is no question of insecurity between us. Mohit speaks very less and Somya is very notorious sometimes. She laughs and has a lot of fun. She brings lively interaction to the sets.

According to you, what importance does Devi hold in Ashoka’s life?
I read a lot of books. If you see Devi is the first wife of Ashoka. She was the most important person in Ashoka’s life. As per the history books, Ashoka falls in love with Devi first and then when he moves from that place, he falls in love with Kaurwaki.

No matter what we show in the soap-opera, according to the history she is not only his first wife but she is the first queen, who conceived successors for the throne. Whereas as a show which is based on history we are trying to give entertainment too.

When will Ashoka fall in love with Devi?
As of now I don’t know anything. But very soon you will see that dimension too. As per the show, I and Kaurwaki are good friends and I am trying very hard to get Kaurwaki and Ashoka back together.

What preparations did you do for this periodical drama?
I read a lot of books. The difficulty arises for me at the time of dialogue delivery. It is pure Hindi which we do not speak in our daily lives. One has to be fluent in the language and maintain the expression at the same time. I try to speak in Hindi a lot these days.

What is the difference between regular soaps and periodical shows?
First of all regular soaps are very easy to do. Coming to periodical series, you have to take care of every minute thing. You can’t improvise in periodical stories because it is taken from history, whereas, in regular soaps you can have alterations and improvisations.

By: Abhyudaya Karamchetu