In an exclusive conversation with The Daily Guardian, actor Isha Koppikar opens up about her role in the new show ‘Suranga’, striking a balance between her personal and professional life as a working mom, and much more.
Q: You will be seen in the ULLU’s upcoming show, Suranga. Tell us more about your role, and do you think the roles being written for women now have witnessed a massive shift?
A: Ofcourse yes. Where earlier women were mostly seen as supporting or side characters besides the actor, now the media is shifting its perception and accepting women in command. Female centric movies also work just as well, and I think that’s great progress. I play the role of a deputy bank manager named Dakshayini, who hails from Delhi. Her character has a lot of shades that are revealed as we move along the series, and it’s an incredible and interesting role. The storyline and how it has been narrated is quite alluring, and it was hard to say no to.
Q: How difficult or easy do you think it is for women to strike a balance between their personal and professional lives, especially in Bollywood?
A: I think it’s all about how she chooses to balance it and work it out. Of course, family also really plays a part in helping out with the upbringing of the children, and it takes a lot of courage and determination to be a mother and an actress.
Q: What are the challenges you face as a working mom in Bollywood?
A: The outlook changes as you become a mother. You look for roles that will set a good example for your children, and everything that you do, you think of how it will affect them first. Also, it takes immense strength to leave them for days on end for shooting in different locations.
Q: What can be done to make the balancing act a little easier for women?
A: Well, the belief that only a mother is responsible for bringing up the kids, for bathing, feeding, and being with them 24/7, should be relaxed because that is completely not true. In my opinion, a father should be equally involved in these things, and just as a father can work without such questions coming up, women should also be given that privilege.
Q: How has your journey been like in Bollywood?
A: I have had quite a tumultuous journey with my fair share of ups, downs and more. I am thankful that I keep receiving love and appreciation for my work and talent, and that’s most important at the end of the day.