"I don’t want to be popular at the cost of my personal integrity"

Shruti Ulfat became popular as the anchor of Chalti Ka Naam Antakshari with Sachin as her co-host, and has had her share of TV notoreity when she locked horns with queen bee Ekta Kapoor. Last seen on the big screen in Raaz, she speaks to Prashant Golecha about her career, her strained relationship with Balaji and her future plans. Me... I am happy go lucky type. I am sharp, practical and sensitive. I was born and brought up in Dehradun. On Balaji Telefilms and Saas bahu soaps I used to anchor Max Top Ten. Tushaar Kapoor had just started using a double s in his name and I had said a line or two about it on my show. That provoked Ekta to make Ketaki Dave, who was playing Daksha, mouth lines against me. Ketaki gave me a call about it. She refused to speak those lines and chose to walk out of the show. Hats off to Ketaki for standing up for another actress. I spoke to Ekta directly and later even spoke to her mom Shobha Kapoor and both were very impolite. The situation could have been handled with maturity. Anything can be sorted out by talking across the table. Saas Bahu kind of serials like those churned out by Balaji are destroying our TV culture, and all look the same anyway. Such shows have stereotyped the relations in the family. Balaji Telefilms has approached me a couple of times earlier. I don’t wish to work with Balaji, as the kinds of shows they make don’t appeal to me. After that incident and strained relations, it’s a mutual feeling that we don’t want to work with each other. In fact, Sony India's programming head Tarun Katial had approached me to play Kkusum when Nausheen left. I told him to first check with Balaji and he said they won’t mind it but I chose not to consider the offer. I don’t want to be popular at the cost of my personal integrity. My current show Aaj ke Shriman Shrimati It's a bi-weekly on SAB Sony TV. It is a laugh riot. It is a well-organized set up and sometimes we even do 20 scenes in a day. My character is called “Saniya” and Dilip Joshi plays my husband’s role. On the comedy scenario on TV It has changed tremendously. I like Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai as well as The great Indian Comedy Show. But comedy in India needs to get more subtle. My marriage I have been married for eight years now and it hurts when I see marriages breaking. My husband Alok Ulfat used to run an acting and theatre workshop at Dehradun. I went to his workshop as a student and now I am having a lifetime workshop with him! I have been touring for three plays namely Prithvi, Dulari Dhamaal and Awaz. I am fortunate enough to spend my time with husband professionally as well. Our interests are common and being from the same industry helps. I guess the child within us is still alive, so we can afford to have our own children later. My husband’s company is AUCPA (Alok Ulfat center for performing arts). Social service and me My in-laws in Dehradun started the Nanhi Duniya movement in 1946. They have 14 small schools around Dehradun. I do theatre with them. I contribute in the fund raising. We do peace marches also. My husband is one of the trustees. I do go for I.C.C.W. (Indian Council for Children Welfare). Our theatre company also works with Dharavi children and YMCA boys who come for vocational training. Future plans I take up work which makes me happy. I am doing a film as a lead. I am doing “Aaj Ke Shriman Shrimati on SAB Sony TV. I am open to roles, which offer substance. I always had flair for singing. By working in Chalti ka Naam Antakshari on Star Plus I explored my singing capacity. My husband and I have penned songs and we intend making a music album out of them soon.