Shalini Kapoor won a beauty contest in 1995 but modelling was not on her list. The bubbly actress came all the way from Kolkata to Mumbai to pursue her career in acting. She debuted with the Raj Sippy film Kudrat and after that there was no looking back. Currently she is seen in a new avatar on Star Plus Jai Maa Durga.

We catch up with this cheerful lady on her new avatar and everything related.

Why did you accept Jai Maa Durga?
I always wanted to do such a show. As an artist you need to grow in life and I have been in this industry since long and have experienced many roles. Initially it was very good but now it has become monotonous and thus I wanted to experiment with something different. Playing a title role is something that I always looked for. I’m glad to be part of this show

Will not such a role give you a ‘mythological’ tag?
I personally feel there is no such thing called tag. I know that hence forth I’ll get such kind of roles but I’m not bothered about it. People’s memory is very short. After a break of 5 to 6 months they forget your past character and then it becomes easy to start with new and fresh characters. In television there is limited strength to a character, once out of sight is out of mind.But definitely after playing Maa Durga I won’t accept any negative roles. Now I don’t feel comfortable playing them. (Her last negative stint was in Sahara One’s Solah Sringaar).

What has been your experience when playing this divine character?
I have so many good experiences during the shoot and outside too. I still remember after my first episode was aired I went to Shirdi Sai Baba as my wish was granted and people surrounded me by saying aap Maa Durga ho na… (You are goddess Durga). I was delighted that just one episode had given me so much recognition. Even on sets if I tell the crew that the lighting is not proper they immediately rectify it saying they do not want the curse on them!

Are you a firm believer of Maa Durga?
I’m a very spiritual person and believe in divine power. I feel goddess Durga is the biggest power. Power in every form has influenced me and I follow rituals religiously.

How did you prepare for this role?
I went through many sites which provide details on the pujas performed on occasion of Durga puja. Besides that there is a lot of other detailing that I have gone through for this role.
I also avoid non- veg on sets.

What are your future projects?
As of now I’m happy with my two shows, Ardhangini on Zee and Jai Maa Durga on Star. These two serials take 25 days of a month so there is no time for anything else. Recently I was offered a film called Jai Maha Lakshmi but unfortunately I could not accept it for lack of time.