Veteran actress Tanuja will be seen on TV now. She tells us about her role in Yash Patnaik's new TV show ‘Babbanbhai Vs Bimlatai'.

Q-Why did you agree on doing ‘Babbanbhai Vs Bimlatai'?
A-I always kept receiving a lot of offers. They were all saas-bahu sagas where I had to play the head of the family. I cannot see myself doing these soaps that go on and on.

Q-What did you like about ‘Babbanbhai...' that had you giving your approval?
A-When I was offered the role I like the concept. When I heard about the character I was to play, I freaked out. I thought to myself, what can I do with this character that imparts a social message in a funny way.

I was happy that I would be doing something to make people laugh. Besides the interesting role, the producers agreed to all my terms and conditions. What's more it's a weekly which suits me fine. It's great fun doing this serial.

Q-How is Gaurav Gera on the sets? Looks like you have a great tuning with him.
A-Before we did the serial, I had met him in Canada when he had done a small role in Tanisha's ‘Neal N Nikki'. Also, I used to watch ‘Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin' and loved his character Nandu in it. I thought he was cute in that. I was a fan of his!

Q-How did he react to acting with you?
A-He was cool. He said he was thrilled to act with me. We share our birthdays though we are 100 years apart! I think he's extremely mature for his age and a multi-faceted actor. Both of us improvise on the script and dialogue to make it better. He is a great co-actor.

Q-Tell us about your character?
A-Bimalabai is a social worker who helps children and youngsters staying in ‘bastis'. On one such visit she meets Babban who is following i the footsteps of his father, an underworld don. On his first assignment as a don he hits a guy and later fumbles. He's lost his car keys which are with me.

I manipulate him and the idiotic don listens to me. The next time I chance upon him at a meeting with a corrupt minister. Babban has come to kill him, I try to dissuade him and in the scuffle he gets shot while I get hurt.

I am declared brain-dead while he requires a heart transplant to survive. My heart is transplanted in his body. After he recovers he realises that he cannot carry on with his misdeeds.

I appear as a bhoot with a daily newspaper and coax him into stopping crimes and criminals. I threaten to stop breathing and choke him if he doesn't follow my orders!

Q-How is it working with Yash Patnaik?
A-He is an amazing producer. He is a very calm person and quite understanding. He truly believes in quality work and his shows reflect that. He also takes care of everything and everybody on the sets. I would always like to work with him again and again.

Q-Are you also doing any films?
A-I have three films on hand. One is being directed by Satish Kaushik, it is untitled yet and there's ‘Halle Dil'. I am also acting in one Bengali film.

Q-What do you have to say about Ajay and Kajol's movie ‘U Me Aur Hum'?
A-Ajay's been inviting me to see the rushes but I have told him I will watch it when it's complete and in the theatre on the day of the premiere. I can wait till then.