'I am apologetic about star status'

From Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki to Bade Achhe Lagtein Hain, Sakshi Tanwar ruled the small screen for the longest time. But the actress, who has returned to TV with 24, says she never liked the hoopla around her and always preferred to do her work quietly.

Sakshi feels apologetic about her star status as she believes it takes away from the hard work an actor puts in. “I am a very basic person with very small dreams. I never had these dreams. People told me that I am a star. I am so apologetic about the whole star status, because it just takes away from all the hardwork one puts,” the actress told PTI. “I am just doing my work and I want to do it quietly. I like the drama inside the show but not outside.”

The 43-year-old actress is currently seen in the role of an ATU chief in the season two of Anil Kapoor-starrer 24. Talking about her new TV outing, Sakshi says she was surprised when offered the show as the actress didn’t expect people to imagine her in a role other than what she has done in the past.

“I am lucky that I didn’t get tied to an image. Eight years on Kahaani... and I am still getting roles like 24! I felt I may get tied to an image post my debut, but was never bothered as for me whatever I had achieved was enough.”

“I had no plans to stay back in Mumbai. But great things have happened to me. From makers to audience everyone has accepted me in all my roles and I hope they will like me in 24 as well.”

The year seems to be special for the talented actress as she will be making her Bollywood debut opposite superstar Aamir Khan in upcoming biopic Dangal.

Though the actress has also filmed Mohalla Assi with Sunny Deol, the film is facing issues with censor board and is yet to be released. Not an over-ambitious artiste, Sakshi reveals she did not go out of her way to bag the role in Dangal as she was more than happy with her TV career.

“In so many years, I have never gone out of my way to approach a person or meet some production house for a role. I have been fortunate that things have happened to me. Nothing in my life was planned. I was not even sure if I wanted to do television. Making a move into films was again a sudden thing.

“I was happy with the success of Kahaani... and that success could last me a life time. I was very happy with it as I never asked for it. So I was done and wanted to enjoy life after that. I still don’t have any big Bollywood dreams,” she added.

Dangal is based on the life story of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, played by Aamir, and Sakshi will be seen in the role of his wife. The 51-year-old actor was the one, who suggested her name to the director, and she feels lucky to have got an opportunity to work beside him. “It was very kind and generous on Aamir Khan’s part to suggest my name for the role.”