"Saat Phere has changed my life altogether"

Amchi Mumbai's Maharastrian mulgi, Rajshri Thakur aka Saloni of Zee TV's Saat Phere, is definitely a breed apart from the current bracket of fresh talent. She is one actress who has dared to essay the unconventional role of a dusky character, Saloni, which has successfully steered the mode of serial viewing. In a free-wheeling chat with Sameera Kapoor, Rajshri talks about her work, family and herself... "I am a very simple girl, but who is very determined about what she has to do" Me Myself…. I am a very simple girl, but who is very determined about what she has to do and how to go about it. I do not accept things at their face value. I need to be thoroughly convinced about anything before taking it into consideration. So, in a way I have a very practical attitude toward life. Saat Phere.... It has changed my life altogether. I am very lucky to have bagged this role. Though I had expected it to be a popular show, I never knew it would be so popular! But it's overwhelming. I meet fans who just come over and say that they don't find any other serial as good as Saat Phere… My experience.... I had a ball! The cast members are like family. Since most of us fall in the same age group, we tend to vibe well. And under the guidance of senior actors I learn a lot. Saloni and me.... I personally fall somewhere in between. I feel I have imbibed certain aspects of Saloni's personality. Like her, I care a lot about my family. However, I'm not as patient as she is. I can't keep forgiving people and take blame for deeds not committed by me. My preparations.… No special home work as such for the role. I understand the character, it's temperament. Once I get the feel, I am spontaneous. "As long as I get to play a good role, the medium doesn't matter" My background.... I worked at Taj Consultancy, and later as a newscaster for the All India Radio and Doordarshan. However I was not interested in becoming a journalist, so I opted out. I have also done an Indo- French film, Hava Aaney De...and it is directed and produced by Partho Sengupta. Hava Aaney De.... The film was about the dreams of middle class people and how they are unfulfilled due to insufficient money. I played the lead role of a student, who aspires to make it big in the theatre world. TV vs films… As long as I get to play a good role, the medium doesn't matter. After all it's the quality of work that defines our calibre. But if I had to pick one, it would certainly be films. Instead of tiring the audience by showing your face daily on TV, wouldn't it be better to give one splendid performance in a film, and thereby mark your presence. If not an actor.... Since I have done LLB, I would have been a lawyer. Family reaction.... Initially they were quite skeptical and kept wondering what am I heading towards. But later on when they saw that my work was not only being appreciated, but was also popular, they were relaxed. My life-partner..... I am engaged to my long-time boyfriend, Sanjot Vaidya. We knew each other since college days, say seven years. We have also been a part of a theatre group. Fashion to me… What I wear is dependent on my mood and the occasion. My comfort level is of top priority. My daily wear comprises a pair of jeans and tees. On special occasions, I drape saris. I also love wearing long skirts and kurtis. Occult sciences.... I do believe in the concept of zodiac signs. However, I won't change the spelling of my name to please lady luck. Future projects… I haven't signed anything new. Saat Phere takes up my entire day. So, I have no time left at my disposal.