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'I get a lot of perks for being 'Mrs Ram Kapoor''

After gaining fame as Tulsi in the popular television serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Gautami Kapoor took a long break from television.

She made a comeback with Zee TV’s new show, Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi, where she plays mom to Ulka Gupta.

Gautami talks about her life, the new show and her husband Ram Kapoor.

You have returned to television after six years…

It feels like I’m back home. I wanted to come back for quite some time but things were not materialising.

Sometimes the script was okay but there was a problem with logistics or time commitment.

'Ram is so busy with his work that I am almost like a single mother'

How was the first day of the shoot?

I was nervous about leaving my kids the whole day. For the last six years I have been there every single day.

Ram is so busy with his work that I am almost like a single mother. It’s been really tough for him to juggle between TV and films.

Right now he’s enjoying his stardom. Being from the same industry, we can relate to and support each other. He’s a great father and husband.

Did you see any changes in the way things work on television?

Television then and now has changed a lot. The shelf life of a show is very short. That is really sad.

Nowadays, the shows are pulled off air left, right and centre. That is the producer's call. The audience does not have the patience to let the show grow.

It also seems like there is no bank of episodes. They shoot in the morning and the episode is telecast the next day. The quality of the show suffers.

'I was scared and wondered if I could cope'

How are you coping with the hectic schedule?

I was scared and wondered if I could cope. But as an actor, you have to mould yourself. The best thing that Ram told me is, ‘Go there and have fun; do your best and leave the rest.’ That’s what I am following.

I think when you love your job, nothing is grilling. You enjoy the process.

I get a lot of perks for being 'Mrs Ram Kapoor'. I am enjoying it, though it comes with a lot of responsibilities (smiles).

How much can you relate to your character Shruti in the show?

My character Shruti is a regular housewife who takes up a job after her husband’s death and has to take care of the kids.

The show focuses on Shruti’s relationship with Ami and her other kids. There are no vamps; we have kept it real.

After Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, where I replaced Smriti Irani -- which was a big replacement-- this role of Shruti is a change for me.

Apparently, your husband on the show dies of AIDS?

Yes. AIDS needn't mean something wrong has happened.

Hopefully, our TV show will handle it well, and will be able to dispel some myths (about AIDS).

'I used to follow Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, but not any more'

What shows do your children watch?

My kids unfortunately don’t watch television.

What do you watch on TV?

I watch Qubool Hai. After four-five episodes I got hooked onto it. If I miss one, I catch it on YouTube.

I used to follow Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, but not any more. That is because I sleep at around 9.30 pm and wake up at 5.45 in the morning.

I watch a few episodes when Ram messages, if there is an interesting episode.

From the current lot which actors do you like on TV?

Young Pihu (Amrita Mukherjee, who plays Ram Kapoor's daughter in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain) is phenomenal. Everybody asks me whether she is Sia, my daughter. She looks so much like her.

I like Sanaya Irani. She is a friend. I kept telling her TV was very hard work. And now, see, she is doing great on TV.