I believe in myself:Ashwini

doweshowbellyad=0; Ashwini Kalsekar, aka Jigyasa of Kasamh Se takes her reel image very, very seriously. (TOI Photo)Small screen vamp Ashwini Kalsekar tells AT why adulation matters a lot to her
Ashwini Kalsekar, aka Jigyasa of Kasamh Se takes her reel image very, very seriously. She dons her trademark bindi, nose ring and kajjal in real life as well, even if she happens to be in hot and sultry Ahmedabad.“But I have always believed that eye make-up is the most important of all. You could go out without any lipstick or blush-on, but it’s a faux pas to venture out without heavily defined eyes. I have always expressed everything through my eyes,” says Ashwini, who credits her distinctive make-up style to her classical dance training.
“I have never learnt any acting or done theatre. When I started television, the only experience I could fall back on was my classical dance training. And I am very proud of being a television actress first and foremost, even though I have done films,” explains Ashwini, who also features in the recent Johnny Gaddar. “My dream role in films would be something on the likes of Umrao Jaan. But at the moment, I am happy with television. It has brought me fame,” she gushes.
But what about the stereotyping and done to death scripts on TV? Surely, that’s not exciting for an actress who dreams of doing Umrao Jaan some day? “There is a dearth of good script driven shows on television and frankly, I have never understood this game of TRPs. But I believe that if these shows are being accepted and received well, surely there is an audience out there for them,Ashwini falls back on the oft quoted argument in favour of the saas-bahu serials. But to her credit, Ashwini has also acted in a documentary film on Gujarat riots. “I love doing deglamourised roles. I know that sounds completely contradictory to the image I have cultivated on-screen, but I am not like Jigyasa!” she laughs.
What is she really like? “I am a great go-getter. I believe in myself. I have translated the struggle and pain I faced in my real life into passion and commitment. I have let all the bad memories go...,” she trails off. Is she referring to her past relationships, especially her abusive marriage which is over? “All that matters is that I am happy now. I am in a good relationship today (with actor Murli Sharma) and I am saving up to buy myself a flat in Mumbai. Property prices are prohibitive, but once I set my mind on something, I get it,” says Ashwini.
What else has she set her mind on? “Shopping! Now that I am in Ahmedabad, I would love to go to the malls and also do some street shopping. I wouldn’t mind shopping anywhere in the world, for that matter,” says Ashwini.