"Comparing Urvashi with Sonia Gandhi is unfair!"

Tisca Chopra has come full circle in life. She started her career as a leading lady to Ajay Devgan, disappeared from the film industry, then did plays like Mahtama V/S Gandhi, Salesman Ramlal and Inshah Allah and finally joined television with Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. She's also done films like Hyderabad Blues II, Loknayak Jay Prakash Nariayan and Karma. Right now she is playing 'Urvashi in Sarrkkar. Here speaks to Prashant Golecha on career, life and Buddhism. How is it playing Ronit Roy's wife in Sarrkkar? The relationships one portrays are secondary. What is important is my character "Urvashi" and its graph. It is nice to be the part of an interesting show. What is so special about your character "Urvashi" in "Saarkar"? If parallels are drawn between the serial and the Gandhi family, do you think you are portraying Sonia? Comparing Urvashi with Sonia Gandhi is an unfair comparison. Urvashi is morally the strongest character. She speaks her mind and is managing the house. I do have a difference of opinion with the character of my husband, the role essayed by Ronit. By and large, Urvashi is a strong and silent person. Your role of "Mallika" in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii was negative but popular. How much did you relate to it? The experience was outstanding. But I don't identify with it at all. The audience loved me. Whenever I met fans, they used to tell me - why don't you let Aryan marry Shruti?? On the personal front, how come you changed your name from Priya to Tisca overnight? The word "Tisca" means Holy River and that's my original name. Priya was the name given by the producer of my first film, as the alphabet P was lucky for him! But after that, I started using my original name... You are into the Buddhist way of life. How did it start? It all started seven and a half years ago. I had few personal issues and I wasn't getting answers to my questions from anywhere. A family friend spoke to me about it. Initially, I started reading about it. I found comfort and what I needed. Buddhism is a way of my life now. Dr. Daisaku Ikada who lives in Japan is my Guru. I do intend to meet him someday. I was awarded a medal for art and culture through him recently too. What difference has Buddhism made in your life? I have stopped feeling helpless. I don't look up to others to run my life. I know how to lead my life and get results out of it. I can help others become independent as well. I want to share what I have gained. Literature is supposed to be your second love. Does it run in the family, considering you are related to Mr. Khushwant Singh. What was his reaction on knowing that you are doing a show based on the Gandhi family? I am a literature graduate from Hindu College, New Delhi. I read a lot of philosophy. Khushwant Singh is my mom's uncle. I have not met him for a long time. Till now, though, there has been no reaction from him on my role as such. Do you feel looking good is very important for TV actors? Not at all. Actors like Irrfan Khan and Shefali Shah aren't really conventionally good looking. What matters most for a TV actor is a strong personality and the roles which should be interesting and which one can play with deep conviction. What are your future plans? The future has its own plan. I have a lot of goals like opening a production house, take writing more seriously and do a few good films.