Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; June 14, 2016)
Maheck Chahal, best remembered for her sexy vampish role in Wanted attained fame when she did Bigg Boss. And now, the actress makes her fiction TV debut with Kawach-Kaali Shaktiyon Se. There were reports about her not doing the show as she suffered a leg injury, but the actress dismisses it saying she has worked hard for the show and has no plans of quitting. Last seen on TV in Power Couple with Ashmit Patel, the duo was accused of faking a relationship to be a part of the show. However, she rubbishes it saying their bond is stronger and they “are inseparable”. Over to Maheck...
You have stayed away from fiction shows. What prompted you to take up a Kawach — Kaali Shatktiyon Se?
I had a taste of TV with Bigg Boss, which changed my life. It made me a household name. Everywhere I went, people knew me. Even when people were casting me for a song in the movie it was easier. Everybody watches TV, but not everybody watches movies. However, I didn’t want to do a saas-bahu show, it is not my cup of tea. I want to juggle films and television, so if I wanted to try a fiction show it had to be something that would be for a short-term. I found my role in Kawach interesting — I play a sexy, seductive, dark character. Also, it is a finite show. With Ekta, who is the star of TV, I knew I was in good hands.
There were reports that you won’t be doing the show because you met with an accident...
Two weeks ago, I was training for kick boxing, which I have been doing for the last 12 years. I twisted my leg while doing a flying kick. I tore a ligament and also broke a bone. So, I had two injuries. However, I have been shooting for the show since a month and have worked hard. I spoke to the production house and they were very nice about it. They told me that my health is important and we will see how it goes. So, I shoot for a day and take an off the next day. But as the show’s launched I have been shooting for long hours standing on one leg. It will take time to heal and I have to rest for that. I do a lot of dance shows and that’s important to me. Even this show is important and I don’t want to lose it nor do I want to put the production house in a position where they will have to replace me.
You said you worked hard for the show. Did you have to prepare for it?
Not really, because it’s not that I wear dark make-up and scare people. I am not one of the aatmas who is screaming. My character puts this guy in a spell — she tricks him with her voice, silence and seduction. Once I got the mannerisms, it was pretty easy — I had to underplay it and my director gave me good feedback.
What do you think about doing a show that is steeped in black magic and super natural elements?
When it comes to TV, it’s very good, and different from saas bahu sagas. In this kind of a show you can mix horror, thriller, suspense and drama. It keeps you on the edge of your seat.
But isn’t it regressive?
No. If you show saas bahu shows, people will say wohi jhagda dikha rahe hai. If you show war and fighting, they will says you are promoting violence. If you show a love story and a boy and girl together before marriage, people say galat patti padha rahe ho. If you take up a religious issue, people object like they did with Aamir Khan’s PK. There is always something or the other. This genre is working because people are finding it interesting, else it would have been a flop.
When you and Ashmit Patel participated in Power Couple there was talk that you were faking a relationship for the show. Did you get affected?
We have been friends for a long time. We had been dating for three months before the show happened. So, when we were offered the show we thought it was a good platform for us. Living together day and night having breakfast & lunch together, doing tasks which were difficult, our bond grew strong. We were supportive of each other and when the show got over, we were inseparable.
When are you planning to take your relationship to the next level?
It’s not even a year since we are together. I am not a sweet 15 or 16, so when I get into a relationship I know where I am going. Both of us have had our share of breakups, ups and downs in our lives and are quite experienced. Ashmit makes me want to be a better person. We are similar except that he is more disciplined. Guys usually get intimidated by me — they feel I am strong. But with Ashmit, I don’t have that problem, I let him lead. We love working out together, watching movies, friends coming over, us going to our family’s place. We never get bored, it’s a good match.