<p>Actor Ratna Pathak Shah, who enjoys a decent fan following due to her outspoken nature, says that her initial years in the industry did not go as planned as she got her first major break after a long struggle.</p>.<p>"I have been acting for a long time and did not find success initially. My break came (in 2004) through Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. There was a long wait before I got anywhere," she tells <em>DH </em>in an exclusive interview. </p>.<p>Ratna, the daughter of actor Dina Pathak, began her film career with a supporting role in the 1983 release <em>Mandi</em>. She acted in A Perfect Murder and Mirch Masala, which found limited patronage despite receiving critical acclaim. </p>.<p>Ratna entered the television industry with <em>Idhar Udhar,</em> which revolved around the lives of an ad executive and an air hostess. She acted in <em>Filmi Chakkar</em> and <em>Bharat Ek Kho</em>j, giving a strong account of herself. It was, however, the previously-mentioned<em> Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai </em>that established her as a household name. She essayed the role of 'Maya', impressing fans with her timing. The actor's chemistry with Satish Shah proved to be a highlight of the show,</p>.<p>Post <em>Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai</em>, she turned her attention to Bollywood, essaying supporting in films such as <em>Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota</em>, Jaane Tu... and the Rohit Shetty-directed <em>Golmaal 3</em>. While the veteran impressed fans with her work, she was never regarded as a 'box office draw'. Ratna, however, is not too worried about this as she feels there is a major difference between a 'star' and an artiste.</p>.<p>"A star is interested in herself while an actor is interested in the story being told," she says.</p>.<p>The desire to tell new stories is perhaps what has encouraged 'the actor' in Ratna to constantly push her limits. She acted in the Amazon Prime Video-backed anthology Unpaused, a collection of short films shot during the lockdown, adding a new dimension to her career. The actor says she took it as she was 'bored' sitting at home during the Covid-19 lockdown.</p>.<p>"The first instinct came from the desire to work again (after the lockdown). However, later when I read the script, it really talked to me," adds the Khoobsurat actor. </p>.<p><em>Upaused was </em>released digitally on Friday (December 18), receiving <a href="http://'Unpaused’ movie review: An effective anthology Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/unpaused-movie-review-an-effective-anthology-928687.html" target="_blank">rave reviews</a>. It has an ensemble cast that includes names such as Richa Chadha, Sumeet Vyas, Shardul Bharadwaj, Saiyami Kher and Ishwak Singh</p>
<p>Actor Ratna Pathak Shah, who enjoys a decent fan following due to her outspoken nature, says that her initial years in the industry did not go as planned as she got her first major break after a long struggle.</p>.<p>"I have been acting for a long time and did not find success initially. My break came (in 2004) through Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. There was a long wait before I got anywhere," she tells <em>DH </em>in an exclusive interview. </p>.<p>Ratna, the daughter of actor Dina Pathak, began her film career with a supporting role in the 1983 release <em>Mandi</em>. She acted in A Perfect Murder and Mirch Masala, which found limited patronage despite receiving critical acclaim. </p>.<p>Ratna entered the television industry with <em>Idhar Udhar,</em> which revolved around the lives of an ad executive and an air hostess. She acted in <em>Filmi Chakkar</em> and <em>Bharat Ek Kho</em>j, giving a strong account of herself. It was, however, the previously-mentioned<em> Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai </em>that established her as a household name. She essayed the role of 'Maya', impressing fans with her timing. The actor's chemistry with Satish Shah proved to be a highlight of the show,</p>.<p>Post <em>Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai</em>, she turned her attention to Bollywood, essaying supporting in films such as <em>Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota</em>, Jaane Tu... and the Rohit Shetty-directed <em>Golmaal 3</em>. While the veteran impressed fans with her work, she was never regarded as a 'box office draw'. Ratna, however, is not too worried about this as she feels there is a major difference between a 'star' and an artiste.</p>.<p>"A star is interested in herself while an actor is interested in the story being told," she says.</p>.<p>The desire to tell new stories is perhaps what has encouraged 'the actor' in Ratna to constantly push her limits. She acted in the Amazon Prime Video-backed anthology Unpaused, a collection of short films shot during the lockdown, adding a new dimension to her career. The actor says she took it as she was 'bored' sitting at home during the Covid-19 lockdown.</p>.<p>"The first instinct came from the desire to work again (after the lockdown). However, later when I read the script, it really talked to me," adds the Khoobsurat actor. </p>.<p><em>Upaused was </em>released digitally on Friday (December 18), receiving <a href="http://'Unpaused’ movie review: An effective anthology Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/unpaused-movie-review-an-effective-anthology-928687.html" target="_blank">rave reviews</a>. It has an ensemble cast that includes names such as Richa Chadha, Sumeet Vyas, Shardul Bharadwaj, Saiyami Kher and Ishwak Singh</p>
