I wanted to do saas-bahu serials: Smita Gondkar

As a contestant, she was considered ‘weak’ by the rest of the participants of 'Bigg Boss Marathi', and yet Smita Gondkar easily managed to turn the tables on them. Her more popular housemates were evicted one after the other, whereas she became one of the top three housemates in the first edition of the reality show. Now the show is over and Smita says, ‘I’m all set to get my rightful place under the sun.’ In a leisurely chat, she speaks about life’s lessons, pain and gain…

Has life changed post-Bigg Boss?
Not life, but yes, the pace of work has certainly changed. I have just bagged Ameya Khopkar’s next film, but I’m not allowed to speak about it other than the fact that it is a multi-starrer and I’m playing one of the main characters. The project will be officially announced in the second week of August.

Does this mean, the 'Pappi De' days are behind you?
I have a lot of respect for music video 'Pappi de Parula'; it made me popular with the masses. But the sad part is that after that I got a lot of offers which were exactly like 'Pappi de'. I had to tell people that it was just one-off things and I’m basically an actor. Of course, many of my films didn’t do well but this struggle to change my image started a few years ago. But after Bigg Boss Marathi, people have started noticing me as an actor who can dance, sing and emote well.

Are you also ready for

saas-bahu

sagas on TV now?

Right now, I’m caught up with my film projects; I’m also dubbing for my next film with Chirag Patil, so it may not be possible to devote too much time to television unless something really exciting comes along. The truth is that earlier, I really wanted to do saas-bahu serials and all those beautiful Marathi family dramas, but I always got negative roles or the ones that were overtly glamorous. After a while I started accepting them. I’m basically quite simple and naive, but somebody told me that it is my extremely sharp nose that gives me a very snobbish look and that is why I got negative roles.

In the reality show, you were quite hurt when you were

body shamed

and even tagged as dumb. Have you put all that behind you?
Honestly, I was shocked when a simple chat with

Megha Dhade

about the cost of hair colouring led to such vicious comments about my body because I shared a good bond with her. Later, she came to me and apologised too, but it really rankled when I saw how she had body shamed me. As an individual and actor, I have every right to improve my looks. I have never gone under the knife, but yes I have made certain corrections to my looks. I know of people in the show who had gone for hair transplant and various other corrective surgeries, but I chose not to name them because it is none of my business. So how could anyone else question my right to choose? Similarly, this so-called dumb image was heaped on me just because I would ponder and think twice before making hurtful remarks against others on Weekend Cha Daav. Everyone would then make fun and call me confused and dumb. Finally, Mahesh Manjrekar himself praised me for my dignified behaviour and the way I refrained from making hurtful remarks against others. Today, I can’t undo the remarks made against me, but I have chosen not to give too much importance to negativity. So, I’ve left behind the body shaming and dumb image that was thrust on me.

You also spoke about the pain that you faced in your marriage. Was that your reason for doing a show like Bigg Boss in the first place?

No, when I entered the show, I somehow presumed that my past will not be raked because I didn’t even want to enter that zone, which I had left behind. When one of the contestants touched upon it, I just brushed it away. But next day, we got a task where we had to speak about the most challenging times of our lives. I was so nervous and just froze for a few minutes; I was worried as to how others in the house will treat me after knowing that I was fooled in a marriage for more than one year. But I managed to speak about it and everyone in the house was quite supportive although I made it clear that I wasn’t looking for sympathy. It was a liberating moment for me and I really felt stronger and more confident as a woman.