Chak De India's Balbir Kaur has made an unexpected entry in Badall Pe Paon Hai, led by Amandeep Sidhu as the ambitious Baani and Akash Ahuja as her husband, Rajat. New things are about to stir up in the Arora household now with Tanya Abrol aka Balbir joining the cast as Lali, the Khanna family’s new house help. However, she is far from the typical maid. Times Now/ Telly Talk India gets into an exclusive conversation with Tanya to know more about her character, her married life with Ashish, sweet moments with Shah Rukh Khan from Chak De India and more.
Excerpts from the conversation:
What drew you to say yes to Badall Pe Paon Hai?
The title drew me. Badal Pe Paon Hain were the lyrics of my first film ever. I got very excited. This song was from Chak De. Also I was inspired by the producers – Ravi Dubey and Sargun Mehta. They were actors first. My character is a house help who doesn't like to be called 'maid'. She is ghar ka expert. She is very shakki in nature and keeps an eye on everything. She is also very quirky and comical.
Your character is like a typical wife, she keeps a check on her husband by video calling him. Is that you in real life too?
(laughs) I don't doubt my husband if that's what you're asking me. My husband doesn't like to video call. In fact, I don't relate to my character at all.
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You got married just last year. How's the marital life with Ashish going?
It's good, nok jhok to hoti rehti hai. We don't have the bandwidth to stretch our fight for another day. We never drag our fights till the next day. I don't like remaining angry for long.
Who says sorry first?
It's balanced actually. Main sorry bulwa leti hoon.
How was the audition process like for Badal. How were you selected?
I just got a call one day from the casting team explaining me the character details. They asked me for some old audition clips of mine in my comical zone. They said that they liked me. So I didn't audition I was just on the sets the next day.
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You played Balbir Kaur in Chak De India. Do you consider this film a blessing?
Of course I do. On my first day at Badal, the character who played Swati (Bani's mom), their parents were on the sets. They came up to me and said, 'we've watched your film more than 100 times.' How often do people get to hear that? They remember my character too. Kabhi kabhi typecast ki problem aati hai but it's fine.
Do you think that people recognise you for just Chak De India even though you have done a lot of work?
No, it doesn't happen with me honestly. People recognise me for all my projects. They even know me for Best Of Luck Nikki. I also worked in CID and people recognise me for that. Bahut acha feel hota hain.
Are you still in touch with Shah Rukh Khan?
No, no aisa nahin hain. But when we meet at promotions, etc, he is very kind to. He ask me, 'yaha kya kar rahi hain?' I laugh and say, 'bas kaam kar rahe hain'.
Do you remember any special moment shared with SRK?
There are so many. He helped me out once while we were shooting. We were not allowed to take food on the turf, there were strict instructions. I was really hungry. Shah Rukh Khan sir got some cashews for me in his pocket. I was like 'aap to star ho hum naye hai hume daant padegi production house se.' He is very down-to-earth.
Are you still in touch with the cast of Chak De India?
Yes, we're still in touch. I won't even call them my friends now, they're family to me.
Celebs from TV usually try to enter Bollywood. Why are you doing TV mostly? Is there a derth of roles out there?
I want to do everything. Mauka mile to main to Hollywood bhi chali jaungi yaar. Bulane vale par depend karta hain. I just do everything I get an opportunity for that I like.