Ketki Dave joins Pushpa Impossible; will be a breakaway from her comic image

After playing Maadi Baa in Balika Vadhu 2, Ketki Dave is back in action on TV with JD Majethia and Aatish Kapadia’s Pushpa Impossible. She will play Deepti’s (Garima Parihar) dadi on the show. Her character is named Kunjbala, a fiercely independent and stubborn woman in her late 60s. A widow, Kunjbala lives alone in Valsad, Gujarat, and is self-sufficient. Her daughter-in-law Sonal (Bhakti Rathod) prefers to be away from her, as she wants to avoid unnecessary clashes arising due to their contrasting personalities and ideologies.

If Sonal is sophisticated, Kunjbala is old-fashioned in thought and action. She is wealthy, but strongly believes in customs and rituals and expects others to follow them, too. She comes across as rigid and stuck in time.

Talking more about her character, Ketki says, “My character is as real as it can get. She is like any other grandmother, who is stuck in time. Their approach and perspective of life are different from the youth of today. Now, neither is wrong, but the difference lies in their perspective and values, which leads to clashes. The clash of opinion is what JD is trying to show through my character as and when it engages with another character.”

So, how different is it from her previous outings? “The character and the track will be replete with all emotions, including humour and a high dose of drama. But it isn’t over the top and nothing will look forced. Look, I have been recognised as a comedian overnight, but I have done many serious roles, which were appreciated by the audience. Yes, JD has offered me a different character. I feel an actor’s diversity lies in how she plays a character and makes it look different from the rest, kyunki emotions toh sabke same hi hote hain,” she replies.

She appreciates JD and Aatish for offering her Kunjbala. “We go back a long way. They are a successful duo and always offer me substantial character. The show is also being appreciated for its progressive content. Pushpa (Karuna Pandey) is a fighter and has risen above adverse circumstances. I am glad to be a part of PI,” she concludes.