She makes headlines more for her personal life rather than for her shows, even though the lady herself stays tight lipped. Narayani Shastri's long running Piya Ka Ghar has gone off air, but the actor has just signed two new projects. She breaks her long silence for an exhaustive interview with Prashant Golecha.
How has your professional journey been thus far?
I started with Kahani Saat Phero Ki on DD1 nearly five years ago. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was my first daily soap but I left it because my track wasn’t going anywhere. I am much more confident now than earlier, in fact, my career has trained me in all areas, including production and creative. In a couple of years, I might even try my hand at directing and screenplay writing.
I have taken up two new projects now, one is tentatively titled Kabhie Na Kabhie in which I am paired opposite Rohit Roy. I am playing a cop in it for the first time. Another show is Beauty Parlour produced by Shristhi Behl.
Both characters are not the saas bahu types, which is the reason I signed on.
If not an actor?
I would have been a housewife. Acting happened by accident. I was quite lucky. I didn’t go hunting for roles. I don’t plan my tomorrow and take things as they come. If I am not working, I get restless.
Why have you started doing theatre?
Mad about money is my first English play, but I have done a lot of theatre earlier. I did Ghulam, Begam, Badshah with Rajpal Yadav two years ago. I have done a lot of theatre in Bhopal. There's much more energy and life in theatre and scope for improvisation.
Are you a party animal?
I like to party. I love dancing. But every party tends to be like another, and conversation is usually limited. I don’t believe going to parties benefits one professionally. People used to think I am arrogant, but I haven’t changed one bit. It’s just that media perception has changed because they have got to know me better.
How do you stay fit?
I work out six days a week. I am by and large, a vegetarian. I drink at least seven litres of water daily. I keep having small meals every two hours and avoid eating after eight in the evening. I drink a lot of juices including neem, carrot and even karela and lauki juice.
What's the secret of your long hair?
It's just heredity.
Are you happy with the state of the industry?
The industry has become extremely crowded. No one is indispensable and replacement is quick. Actors don’t even bother to talk to the actors they are replacing in shows. Professionalism has plummeted. And to top it all, everyone wants to do television!
Do you take any interest in astrology, tarot card reading, numerology and occult sciences?
I am interested in all these sciences. It’s fun to know and experience them. I take an active interest in them but I don’t let them rule my life.
Does Women's Day mean anything to you?
It's just another day. I don’t like people taking feminism too seriously because most of the people who talk about it don’t even believe in it.
Are you aware that your beau Gaurav Chopra is often called Mr. Narayani Shastri?
It is ridiculous to call Gaurav 'Mr. Narayani Shastri'. Every person has his own individuality. Just because I was already in the industry when he entered it, and I appeared publicly with him, people started linking us.
I guess it was because he was the first man people saw me with and word spread about us. Gaurav is only a friend and will remain a friend. If I fall in love with anyone, I would be the first person to tell the world. I know the next person you will ask me about is Anuj Saxena. So much has been written about me in that context that it doesn’t bother now.
Okay, what about Anuj Saxena?
I don’t want to discuss the past. He was a friend, is a friend and will remain a friend.
So, when will you marry?
I don’t understand how can one get married or divorced by signing a piece of paper. Marriage is a commitment of the heart and mind. The government and society can’t force me to follow or not to follow a commitment. But everyone does need a companion in life, I guess.....