"Watch out for me in a new avatar!"
- Muskaan Mehani

She is spontaneous, bubbly, chirpy, naïve. She refused to audition for her role as Mandy in Sony's Ye Meri Life Hai, because she wanted to do it her way! She is the greatest confidant of the onscreen gujju icon Pooja Mehta in Ye Meri Life Hai. Sapana Patil spoke to Muskaan 'Mandy' Mehani on her bagging a role in Zee's Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa.

Muskaan Mehani: In a new avatar

Finally you will be doing work with a different channel.
(Surprised) How do you know? Anyway, yes. I am so happy. My contract with Sony ends next month. So I am free to take up roles with other channels.

What is the role you are playing in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa?
I am playing Sanjana. She wears western outfits, unlike my character in Ye Meri Life Hai. She is tomboyish, full of life and very spontaneous. She pretends to be nice before her bhaiyya-bhabhi, but behind their backs she plays mischief. She is a sweet devil.

Does that describe you in real life?
Yes. I am very spontaneous. It is because of this spontaneity that I refused to audition for my role in Ye Meri Life Hai. Acting is something that comes from within. In the shot, I say my lines. I don't learn them.

How did you like playing Mandy in Ye Meri life Hai?
I was initially offered the role of Pooja. But then later, things didn't work out that way. I didn't want to play Mandy. I told them (Sony) that being a Sindhi I can't speak Punjabi. Eventually, I agreed to play Mandy. And I enjoyed it thoroughly. When I attend a press conference or a meeting, people call me Mandy. It has become my identity.

How are you going to enjoy the different roles?

'Mandy' Muskaan Mehani with her friends from 'Ye Meri Life Hai'

I like to do different roles. I don't want to be typecast in one role. My favourite is that of Kajol in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. I liked the scene where she broke the vase. I had a similar part to play in Ye Meri Life Hai, where I broke a large perfume bottle at Reema's house.

How was your life before Ye Meri life Hai?
I was a model before I took up acting. I won the Miss Ahmedabad title in 2001. I did stage shows and modelling for Satya Paul and Shaina N C. I had also done a serial called Kahani Terri Merri on Sahara One.

One actor you would love to work with?
Abhishek Bachchan. I really love him. I could do anything to work with him!

Would you take up acting in films?
I do get offers for acting in films. But films are a different world.

Have you thought of doing theatre?
(Laughs) Theatre is very difficult. I am content with TV.