Not enough dedication, discipline among TV actors today

MANASI JOSHI ROY became a part of our homes with her impactful portrayal of a simple girl, Sudha, in the television serial, Saaya
(1998-99) and followed up with another stellar performance as Chandni in Indian small screen’s first indigenous fantasy-comedy franchise and a sitcom replete with top-of-the-line visual effects, Gharwali Uparwali (2000-03). Thereafter, she was seen in Kkusum (2004-05). But then she opted for a 14 year vanvaas, before making a
comeback with Dhhai Kilo Prem in 2017.

In an exclusive interview with SAURABH TANKHA, the talented actor talks about the reason behind the break, future of entertainment industry, the role of her mother in her life and more…

Why don’t audiences get to see Manasi Joshi Roy as much as they want her to be?
The reason I haven’t been around as much as I would like to be is due to two reasons. One, it has been a voluntary break and two, there haven’t been interesting roles coming my way. I hope to change it soon as I’m in talks with several different mediums as it is an interesting world now with many available options. I’ll be back on screen soon.

How challenging is it when your husband (Rohit Bose Roy) is directing you? Were there creative differences when you shot Locked In Love?

There were, of course, a lot of creative differences during the making of Locked In Love because we (Rohit and I) are two very strong people with strong opinions. But a lot of positive energy got created as a result

It is extremely difficult because you don’t behave the same way with your family as you do with a stranger, especially not with your husband. There were, of course, a lot of creative differences because we are two very strong people with strong opinions. But a lot of positive energy got created as a result which, in turn, got out some great work in Locked In Love.

When was the first time that Manasi Joshi Roy decide to be an actor?
When I was probably 13-14 or may be before that because subconsciously I always knew I wanted to be an actor. I perhaps articulated it when I got a little older and I told my father that I want to act. I feel happy that I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I meet a lot of people who say we became actors by chance. But for me, I chose acting as I was passionate about acting. Acting, to me, is not a profession. It is my passion, my legacy. I grew up with acting and I’m proud of it. Nothing gives me more joy than acting.

You belong to a family of actors on both sides. Is it a boon or a bane when there are so many people from the same profession around?
It is a big boon. Just too wonderful. It is always great to have like-minded people around. I’m blessed to have some lovely actors around and am happy that we are doing some great work in our own personal spaces.

Tell us about the Joshi family.

Our family begins with my father, Arvind Joshi, a celebrated Gujarati stage actor-director-writer-producer. My mother, Usha, also used to act and produce plays though she was a banker

Our family begins with my father, Arvind Joshi, a celebrated Gujarati stage actor-director-writer-producer. He did over 50 Gujarati plays and acted in over 100 Gujarati films, even winning a state award for one of them. He is considered one among the pioneers of contemporary Gujarati theatre. Our acting roots are in our father. That is where Sharman and me got our acting genes and decided to be actors. My mother, Usha, also used to act. In fact, the two met at an inter-collegiate drama competition. Mom otherwise was a banker but she acted and produced plays with my father. My father’s older brother, Praveen Joshi, was also a celebrated actor-director but he passed away at a young age. His wife, Sarita Joshi, is an extremely celebrated actor on Gujarati and Hindi theatre, cinema and television circuit. Her daughter, Poorbi Joshi, is a known name too in the acting circle. There is a lot of energy when we all get together.

Over the last two decades plus you have been a part of the entertainment industry, what transformations, for the good and for the bad, have you observed?
We all know that change is inevitable and change should always be embraced. I feel bad that there is not enough dedication and discipline among television actors today towards their craft. I feel one needs to be passionate about acting because you act as you love doing so. It is not a medium to achieve name, fame or money.

You graduated in psychology. Were there plans to become a psychologist at some stage in life?
I did so because my father was very clear that I needed to be graduate before pursuing acting. I was always good at studying and wanted to graduate in Literature as I loved reading but somewhere along the way when I started studying psychology, I enjoyed it too so I switched. But reading still remains my passion. It is something I’ve inherited from dad.

Tell us about your daughter, Kiara’s Little Free Library (LFL).

It was Kiara’s enthusiasm and passion that created this library. However, we all are involved in it as it is a community project. The Little Free Library will keep going on as it has impacted the lives of many en route

Kiara’s Little Free Library has an interesting story. I subscribe to the Oprah Winfrey magazine as I’m a big fan of Oprah. In one of the issues in 2014, there was an article about a little free library. While flipping through the magazine, Kiara, who was a young girl then, saw this article. She came to me and asked me if we could build one like it. I had read the article and the same thought had crossed my mind too. It was her enthusiasm and passion that created this library. However, we all are involved in it as it is a community project. With Kiara in college, I’ll take care of it. The Little Free Library will keep going on as it has impacted lives of many en route.