TV has always been better for actresses: Himani Shivpuri

Actor Himani Shivpuri reveals why she’s seen less in films and more on TV these days
Actor Himani Shivpuri needs no introduction. Seen in films like Do Knot Disturb, Kismat Konnection, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Hum Saath-Saath Hain, she is now ruling the small screen. Shivpuri was in town to promote her latest TV serial and talked about how she’s looking for more challenging roles and how TV offers a better roles for actors like her.
On why she’s missing from the silver screen. Giving her reasons for that, Himani says, “I have always done roles that I enjoyed doing. I have touched all genres, be it comedy, tragedy or negative roles. For me the banner was never important. I have worked with all big stars and banners. But now I want to do challenging roles. Initially, when I came to Bombay, I was a struggling actress, not privileged to make choices, but at this stage of my career I can choose roles.”
Talking of her assignments Himani informs, “I’m doing some small budget films these days. There’s Jai Ho produced by Salman Khan’s sister and his brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri. It is one of those Vicky Donor- Delhi concept film. I am playing the mother of one of the protagonists in the film. I have just finished the shoot of another film Amma Ki Boli in Madhya Pradesh that has actors from NSD including Farrukh Jaffer of Peepli Live. Another light hearted comedy I’m doing is Bin Phere Free Hum Tere. I’m also concentrating more on theatre now and for that I have refused some TV serials. Aajkal daily soaps ki jo haalat hai it is like doing ‘gadhe ki majdoori’,” laughs Himani.
Being a National School of Drama pass-out and having a long association with theatre, Shivpuri is not very happy with the condition of theatre in the country these days. “I did auditions and NSD worshops in Dehradun and although the participation was overwhelming. Par unka maqsad theatre karne ka nahi tha. They thought they can get roles in movies through theatre. The situation was not too different in our time except for few mad people like me who only wanted to do theatre.”
She adds, “I never wanted to do films. In those days people from northern India had a very wrong perception about the film industry ki main wahan gayi toh mera rape ho jayega. But I believe in destiny. While touring in and outside Mumbai to do theatre, I got some good offers to act in films, which brought me success and I continued to do movies,” shares Himani.
One does see her doing more of mother roles nowadays. Quiz her on the scope for actors her age and Himani says, “Meri dukhti rag mat chhedo. Actors like Salman, Shahrukh or Aamir are still doing lead roles aur unke opposite kaun hota hai? Sonakshi. They want younger girls, not old ones like me as heroines. This is the tragedy of Bollywood. It is male dominated. Ab tohheroesne distribution rights bhi le liya hain. They have become bigger than producers. Television has always been better for actresses. But satellite channels can never give what Doordarshan has given to actors. I got national popularity from my first serial Humrahi as Devika Bhabhi. Something like that is impossible today when so many channels are competing for TRPs. Nobody is concerned about the content.”
Not only strong on screen, Himani has proved that she’s just as determined in real life too. Having brought up her son alone after the demise of her husband in 1995, Himani has strong views about punishment meted out to rapists. “I can’t think of enough punishment for such people. They should be banned from society. But first we need to teach our children to respect women,” says the actor.