For the last eight years, the nation has known her as Parvati Agarwal. In fact, so powerful has been her presence and role that viewers just refused to accept her in any other role. It would not be an overstatement to say that she, along with Smriti Irani (Tulsi in Kyun Ki…) epitomized the character of a bahu in Indian television. Meet Saakshi Tanwar, who has taken a new stride in her career by deciding to move to the big screen. The pretty actress chatted with Tellychakkar on life after Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki,her upcoming film Coffee House and other plans for the future.

How is life after Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki?

(smiles) Well, I have to admit that initially it was very weird! It was difficult to imagine a day when I could wake up late and leisurely do everything instead of rushing to get ready and heading for the sets of Kahani …Guess eight years had made me get used to the routine! I really felt weird and lost when I did not have to go to the sets of Kahaani, meet my colleagues and start shooting for an episode. It was difficult to adjust.

But I guess I needed this break – on the personal and professional front. In fact, I feel even the audience needed a break from me! I am sure they were also getting bored seeing the same face in the same role for eight years!

I went on a long holiday to the US and UK and chilled out. This is the first time I went on a holiday without having a tight schedule. I really took it easy and stayed there for as long as I wanted to. After coming back to India, I went to Rajasthan and spent a month with my parents. I am back now, recharged to take on new challenges in my professional life.

Are you in touch with your Kahaani… colleagues?

Yes of course! They are like my second family. We had been working together for eight years and these are the people who supported me when I came to Mumbai eight years back. I am in touch with almost everyone associated with this show and we meet up pretty often.

Did you watch television during this break?

When I was working in Kahaani…, I hardly got time to watch even one episode of any show. However, after Kahaani…, I have been relaxing and watching two Balaji shows regularly – Bandini and Kitni Mohabbat Hai and am liking both of them. Another serial I have been following is Balika Badhu – it is one of the best ongoing shows today. However, in the last few days there is some interior work that is going on in my house and thus I am not being able to watch television.

Did you stay away from work completely?

Not really. I have a friend who has a production company. She offered me a very interesting role for a month. She produces a serial called Samman for DD1 and wanted me to help her with the production of the serial. It was a fantastic opportunity and I readily accepted it. Today I am thankful and grateful to her for having given me this opportunity.

Actors come on the sets, deliver their bit and go back thinking they are the most important aspect of a show. But this behind-the-scenes stint taught me how important the other aspects of production are. I did everything – reading and discussing scripts, sitting in the editing table, deciding on sets and even going down on my knees to find a lost earring of the heroine to ensure continuity! I think I am much enlightened after this stint. My friend was very gracious in putting my name in the credit list as creative consultant.

How did you get the offer for Coffee House?

While I was shooting for Kahaani …I got a call from the director of Coffee House – Gurbir Singh. He asked me whether I was ready to take up a role in his film. Not many people are aware that Gurbirji was the person who offered me my first role in television – for a show called Dastoor. Those days I was a greenhorn, but still he had faith in my capabilities and offered me the role. Since the offer of Coffee House came from him, I definitely had to give it a good thought.

Plus, many times it has happened in my life – and perhaps in everyone’s life – while talking to someone about a project, an instinct tells you that it is something good for you. There may apparently be no rhyme or reason, but you do sense an inner voice telling you that it will be good. I got the same feeling with this film. Plus my saying yes also meant me saying thank you to him for restoring his faith in me.

Tell us something about the film and your role in it.

I am playing the role of Kavita, the wife of the male protagonist (played by Ashutosh Rana) Kamal. He owns a newspaper and runs a theatre group. Both of them are completely different individuals and have different ways to approach life and have varied ideologies. Kavita brings in the much required balance in their relationship.

The couple visits a coffee house where they meet up with a number of friends and discuss their life, politics and the society in general. They spend hours there to understand different points or view and also present theirs on various issues. In other words, Coffee House is a contemporary, socio economic statement.

Have you ever been to a coffee house in your real life?

Yes of course! During my college days in Delhi, we used to go to Coffee House a lot. And anyone who has visited a coffee house will know that this is usually located close to the University and government run. As a result, you get inexpensive but good food there. So it was a much-favoured hangout during our college days, since we had to run on limited pocket money. Most of our birthday parties and other celebrations took place in coffee house. So I can relate to the film’s scenario very well!

Any plans for the small screen? Will it take a back seat with you being busy with Coffee House?

Honestly speaking, I believe that we are ruled by our destiny. In my eight years of television career, I have never met anyone with a request to give me a role. But destiny has its own plans stored for me. If working in films was there in my destiny, I could have done this movie six years back. But that is not how it was supposed to be.

For me the medium is not important, the role is. If the role is good, I am ready to do a film, TV serial or a street play – it does not matter to me. Also, for most actors getting out of the comfort zone is very important. I am happy that I have been able to do that after Kahaani. I feel now is the time when I need to create my niche space in the industry.

Television is changing. Films are becoming more experimental. I think the division and gap between films and television is getting bridged.

Any plans of getting married and settling down in your personal life?

(Smiles) I am sorry I could not hear that question!