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Ready for a litmus test

Aruna Irani is ready with her fifth serial "Vaidehi ... Ek Aur Agnipareeksha"

WOMEN POWER Aruna Irani PHOTO: ANU PUSHKARNA

The tone of one's voice reflects much about one's personality. People young at heart have a chuckle in their voice. And veteran actress Aruna Irani can safely be listed in this category. She has that exuberance and `never-say-die' spirit that you find in most young go-getters. You compliment her on her young, mike-friendly voice and she chuckles like a kid in high spirits. "Is it? Wow! I didn't know it. Now, I can fool young boys on the phone," she laughs. .

Aruna is all set for the telecast of her fifth serial Vaidehi - Ek Aur Agneepariksha, scheduled from June 5 at 10 p.m. on Sony TV. She has produced and conceptualised the serial, which is directed by Pawan Sahu. Aruna, who earlier made hit serials such as Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand, Zameen Se Aasman Tak, Mehendi Tere Naam Ki and Tum Bin Jaooun Kahan, says this time she brings alive the positive and tolerant side of women.

Says the actress who made her name as a comedian in Hindi films, "The heroine of my story is like Cinderella... she dreams about a rich, loving man to come and take her away. But at the same time, she is scared of marrying him because of the assumed differences in his high-flying attitude and her yielding demeanour. When her dream of marrying a rich man materialises and her fears come true, she is left shocked. How she initially tolerates his infuriating behaviour and later fights for her rights forms the crux of the story."

Aruna's choice of the title is based on the `never-say-die' attitude of women. "Sita, also known as Vaidehi, had her own way of fighting for her rights in the Ramayana. This serial portrays how a Sita of today fights for her rights. It suggests that women are naturally soft hearted, hence are generally forgiving. But if they are wronged, they will not tolerate it," asserts Aruna.

Sounds like a feminist theme. Aruna differs. "I am not a feminist. And that's why the men in my serials are strong. I don't like to make women-centric serials either."

Aruna promises a twist in the third episode. "Viewers are in for a surprise in the third episode. That is my trump card. In the first two episodes, I have thought up a situation which will ensure that viewers watch the third episode wondering what they would have done if they had been in Vaidehi's shoes," she says.

Aruna has reserved "a very good role" for herself too. "Before this serial I never claimed that I have a `very good' role in my serials. But this one is. I play Sita, an understanding mother-in-law." She has acted in films for a while. "I do want to do films but don't have the time. I would love to do some comedy roles again. I have realised that it is easier to don a comedy role than write a comic script. Nonetheless, writing is far more creative than acting. It is cathartic for me," she concludes.

RANA SIDDIQUI

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