Aamna Sharif: I'm too young to play a mother

Aamna Sharif, who made her small screen debut in 2003 with Ekta Kapoor's popular show Kahiin To Hoga, is back in another romantic television serial, Honge Juda Na Hum.

She made the return to TV as her movie career did not shape up well after films Aloo Chaat and Aao Wish Karein flopped.

Here, Aamna talks to Rajul Hegde about her second innings in television.

What brings you back to television after four years?
 
I have been listening to scripts for quite some time but nothing interested me. I didn't want to do what they are showing on TV right now.

When I heard the script of this show, I fell in love with it. But I wasn't keen on doing TV then and it took me a while to decide.

The best part of this character (Muskaan) is that she is very contemporary and a workaholic. Yet, she is very rooted in her culture.

Today you can act in films and television both. In fact, filmmakers want TV actors because of the fame and popularity they carry forward into their projects.

What is that one thing that attracted you to Honge Juda Na Hum?

The love story! I am a romantic at heart. The love that I got for my previous show Kahin To Hoga was because it was a love story.

I think people like me in romantic genres so it is a good decision to come back with this genre. I play a character who is my age and I can completely relate to her.

How romantic are you in real life?

I am a very romantic person. I can do anything for a person whom I love. I can go to the extent of going on my knees and proposing to him.

Did you do a workshop before this show?

Yes. It took around two months to work around the character Muskaan. The producers went out of the way to make me and Raqesh (Vashisth, the male lead in the show) comfortable because they knew it's a romantic genre.

I didn't know him before the show. The chemistry between Muskaan and Rohan (Raqesh Vashisth) will be the big USP of the show.

It works only when you have a comfort level with your co-star. Fortunately, I have a fabulous co-star and we hit it off completely and it shows on the show.

My previous character (in Kahin To Hoga) grew over time. But here, I was completely into my character before I went for the shoot on the first day.

Television serials are getting bolder these days. Are you comfortable doing intimate scenes?

I am not very comfortable with intimate scenes. I draw the line somewhere. If it is required for the show I may do it, as long as I am comfortable with it. But I won't do something that I am not comfortable with as it would show on screen.

Did you miss television when you were away?

I missed shooting every day and the transition from TV to films wasn't easy for me.

When you work in television for four-and-a-half years, your body works mechanically. Films are more relaxed because you are working on one particular project for six months or a year. 

It's not easy for an actor who is used to facing the camera every day to keep waiting for the shoot to happen.

Are you worried about connecting with people in your new show?

I think it's more to do with the character. People didn't accept Aamna Shariff, they accepted the character of Kashish. 

Even here, Muskaan is a wonderful human being. Somewhere every person dreams of romance in their lives. So I am hoping that Muskaan will connect with the viewers. I think romance works any time.

Have you lost weight?

Yes, I have lost a lot of weight. I am a fitness freak and regularly practice yoga. It gives me a peaceful feeling and it is good for the body too.

Today, leaps in time are common on daily soaps and actresses are expected to play mothers of young boys and girls. Are you fine playing a mother?

I am too young to do that, and I wouldn't.