Aclassic case of inner resolve, she overcame her disability with the help of a prosthetic 'Jaipur Foot' to become one of India's most highly acclaimed dancers. Her public recital in Mumbai on 28 January , 1984, which heralded her comeback into the dancing arena after two years, was met with thunderous applause. Her success was followed by invitations for shows from all over the world, and she performed in several European countries, Canada and the Middle East. Films happened, and so did television. Today, she is the talk of the town, courtesy her innovative character of Ramola Sikand in Balaji Telefilms' late-night thriller Kaahin Kissii Roz. This dancer-turned-actor believes each country has its own heroes who have never accepted defeat. "Like them, I have always believed in asking - 'What next?', rather than, 'Why me?' If Helen Keller could overcome her handicap, so can I. The seed of achievement lies in the human mind. When this realization comes, there is no looking back. Once I decided that my handicap was not going to stop me from dancing, that was it," begins Sudha Chandran, but quickly adds before the first question, "Please don't imitate Ramola Sikand too much in letter and spirit both. 'Thoda chalega' but within the parameters of law. She is a cold-blooded murderess and you can't break the law." And for those who thought Kaahin...looked like it was winding up, here comes news that the serial has been given an extension. Excerpts from an interview with Vickey Lalwani. |
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Was dancing your first love? |
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Go on... By the time my cousins came from Chennai, gangrene had set in. I was shifted to Vijaya Hospital in Chennai under the care of a leading orthopedic surgeon. He did his best for 20 days, but it became a question of life or limb. I had no other option but to get my right leg amputated. To change my mind, which obviously was almost shattered, I was taken for a holiday. I had finished my junior college at that time. Eight months later, I came to Mumbai. The Principal of Mithibai College, (late) Mr. C.T.Bhastana, allowed me to join F.Y.B.A from the middle of the year. |
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Then? Believe it or not, my mother avoided going to the market simply because people would ask embarrassing questions about my future. Seeing all this, I felt terrible. I vowed to become someone big. |
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Did you get into television to realize your vow? We flew down to Hyderabad. Initially, he just wanted to make a film on my life-story, with some other girl as the heroine. Later, he and even the director Srinivas thought that I should do the role. |
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And you grabbed the offer? |
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Why? |
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How did television happen? I shifted my attention down South. I did a few Telugu films which too were no great shakes. Then I met Sunil Mehta, owner of Cinevista Communications. I explained my predicament to him. He promised to call me after 15 days. I thought this was just one of those promises which was meant to be broken. But he cast me in a TV serial Saahil wherein I got noticed once again. From there, I went on to anchor the Adhikaris' show Shriman Shrimati directed by Rajan Wagdhare. Rajan was impressed by my wacky sense of humour and he repeated me in another serial Kabhi Idhar Kabhi Udhar opposite Shekhar Suman. Then came a stream of serials- Manish Goswami's Chashme Buddoor, Satte Shourie's Kaise Kahoon... Touch wood. |
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How did 'Kaahin Kissii Roz' happen? I heard them out. I was surprised that they wanted me to play a hi-fi manipulative industrialist. In Kaise ...which they'd liked, I had played a down-market Muslim girl. I thought that Ekta was miscasting me. I told her that I needed some time to think over. She obliged. Later I told Meetu that I won't be able to work day and night as Balaji Telefilms do. I had heard about the long hours at Balaji Telefilms. Meetu squashed all my fears saying that those were all rumours, the truth is that they work on a 12-hour basis for three months, bank the serials in the process and then hit. |
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So, life took a new turn? The special, queer 'bindis' and ornaments were not an original part of the look. Today, the same 'bindis' and jewellery have acquired the names of counters in many hi-fi shopping malls- Ramola Sikand 'bindi' counter, Ramola Sikand jewellery counter.! Even the way I outline my lipstick is being lapped up! Sarees are being sold under the brand name of 'Ramola Sikand'! Latest, husbands want their wives and children want their moms to look like Ramola! I am very proud of the fact that for the first time in India, a negative character is being followed so lovingly. Today, I am the talk at beauty parlours, kitty parties and even fashion shows. It's an author-backed role alright. |
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What do you think has made this character tick? Two, the fact that I am a very flat character who expresses mainly through eyes; she doesn't get excited when she is happy, she doesn't get sad when her ruse fails, she doesn't get nervous before doing anything major. Three, the character has loads of sophistication and poise; I am very elegantly draped in chiffons and crepes. Four, the fact that this role is so different from what the people have read about me; my earlier real life projects me as a character who needs to be sympathized, and here I am making the others dance to my tunes. Five, there is a Ramola Sikand inside every human being who wants to be successful. |
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Are you a spontaneous or method actor? |
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What is your USP? |
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What draws you to the script? |
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Are you game to playing a goody-goody Tulsi or Parvati? Why not? Like Ramola Sikand, even those are author-backed roles. Thanks to Kaahin Kissii Roz, I am a very confident actor today. At the end of every day, I thank Balaji telefilms for helping me to regain my status as an actress. I can emote the positive emotions with equal ease and conviction. As an actress, I want to go through a gamut of emotions. |
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Do you improvise on your scenes? When I rush back to see my scenes on the monitor, I have never felt dissatisfied with my performance. But if ever I am, I will never tell the director that he needs to take another shot. I am looking at the scene from an actor's point of view. He is looking at it from a director's point of view. Who is superior? Naturally, the director. He is the captain. I have no right to direct him. I have no right to trample on his ego. In fact, I must have blind faith in him. I don't even intervene on my lines. I am of the firm belief that every professional is here because he deserves to be. |
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Is working on television easy? Working conditions are good but not as luxurious as in films. Stars walk into film shootings only when they are required. One scene can stretch to even three days. There is no Damocles' sword of a deadline hanging over your head. Besides, they sit in air-conditioned vans and take long breaks after virtually every shot. TV stars don't have time to laze and fool around; they have to be alert and quick. Everything is strictly work-oriented. Unlike film stars, TV artistes cannot be unprofessional. |
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What's the biggest compliment you received on Ramola Sikand? Ramesh Sippy once told me, "The anxiety on the faces of the people when they see Ramola Sikand on television is similar to what they experienced when looking at Gabbar Singh in Sholay." |
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What else are you up to? I am doing a play Kamaal Karte Ho Aap Bhi written by Imtiaz Patel. All those who have seen this play say I am like the Sweetie of Hum Paanch, a little less of 'pauli' in the head (smiles). Also, my husband Ravi Dang and I are producing a TV serial Waqt Ka Dariya directed by Ramoji Rao. He brought me to cinema and I share a special bond with him. Furthermore, we are planning a daily soap with Rao which should start rolling soon. |
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Has dancing taken a slight backseat? Yes. Acting takes away quite a lot of time. But still I perform whenever I can. |
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