by Subhash K Jha

When her character Parvati's husband Om died on the popular Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, Sakshi Tanwar's life has changed.

"I must admit playing Parvati has become a lot more fun ever since the character became a widow. Earler Parvati was submissive and docile, always eager to please everyone.

But now she isn't willing to take anything lying down. Parvati has acquired spunk. I like that. Because I'm quite a spirited girl myself, though everyone perceives me as otherwise," says this Rajasthani girl who's exclusive to one soap.

"There's no time to do anything except Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki. I only shoot for the earlier first part of the month. Then I take 10-12 days off each month, just to chill. I go on a holiday to my family in Rajasthan, or abroad. I stopped shooting every single day of the month after I had a fatigue attack some months ago."

Sakshi says it wasn't as serious as it was made out to be. "It happened just once. It was written about so many times in the media that it seemed to be have happened several times over. I was quoted in print about my health when in fact I hadn't spoken to any member of the press about it."

A far cry from the cry-lady she plays in Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, Saakshi is a diehard Ekta Kapoor loyalist. "People who badmouth her don't know Ekta. She's a doll.

And so caring about everyone. Once my departure for a shooting abroad was delayed due to some personal problems. Ekta urged me to leave and took charge of my problem. People ask if I get paid well by Ekta...my answer to that is very simple.

Today my bank balance is a lot more comfortable than earlier when I was a struggling actress. Ekta picked me up from nowhere and selected me to play this pivotal role. I owe her my entire career," Saakshi ends gratefully.