Versatile tele-actress Maninee De would soon be screened in NDTV Imagine's soap Ek Packet Umeed. The actress shares with us her experience of working with the Ek Packet Umeed's team and adds little spice to the conversation disclosing the other projects she is busy posing for.

Q. You would be seen in NDTV Imagine's Ek Packet Umeed. Please tell us about your character in the show.
A. Contrary to the reviews, my portrayal of the character received, this character is not grey but is of a disciplinarian woman who is very firm. She visits umeed bhavan to reclaim her niece. That is how the story unfolds.

Q. How close is the character to your real self?
A. It's not close at all. Instead, this character is completely obtuse and oblique to what I am in real life. Yes, I am a disciplinarian like her but I don't believe in raising my voice to my kid. I think there is no use in raising decibels just to convince your child. I don't shout at my kid unless it's imperative.

Q. How is it working with JD Majethia's team?
A. I have worked with them in one episode of Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai few years back. It is always pleasure working with them. They are very creative and at the same time very down to earth and approachable which works as an asset for me.

Q. You are also working with the show Dhak Dhak in Dubai. What is it all about?
A. I have only worked for last episode so I can't say much except for the fact that it's a comedy serial which has Punjabi family v/s Gujarati family on the foreground. And my character Sheetal is very funny who is at her early 30s and strongly believe in concept of love. It's a good fun.

Q. How do you manage your traveling and shooting schedules between the two countries?
A. Earlier, too, I have done couple of shows abroad so it wasn't difficult. It's all about time management in which, I think, women have mastered. We, women, are multi taskers. I believe if you really want something then everything falls in its place.

Q. So how manage time with your daughter?
A. I make sure that I spend quality time with her. And that is the reason I am not doing daily shows. According to me, I cannot completely write off my 31-days to anyone for work.

Q. Except acting you also have a skill for writing. Any plan of scripting soap or a movie?
A. Yes, I do possess. I don't have anything in my mind to pen down at present. Recently, many people have said to me about my writing. Maybe god is signaling me to start writing.

Q. You have been lucky to have worked both in Bollywood and television industry. How would you differentiate between the two media?
A. Of course the canvas and space in movie is bigger as compared to television. Also you get lot of time to prepare for your role in films. It's not like television where you just have to prepare in a minute's time. And you can't ever complain if you are feeling overloaded with work.

Q. What according to you is the success mantra in entertainment industry?
A. I think you have to be able to know the nerve of common man. And that is how you will be able to connect with the audience. What you feel about the character doesn't really matter.

Q. What would be the one thing that you would like to change in the television industry?
A. Discipline, big time needed. I think people should be scheduled well if they want to achieve targets. There should be more methodical approach in your work.

Most importantly people should respect other's time. My problem is that I am much disciplined and now I am trying hard to become indisciplined.

Q. Any interesting incident you can recall that happened in any of the sets recently?
A. Me and Rupali were shooting for Ek Packet Umeed when I noticed that she is feeding eggs to dogs. This was one thing which touched my heart. It's very impressive when someone does things for others. This is definitely that one incident I won't forget and I really admire Rupali for that.

Q. What other projects you are working on?
A. I am doing a show called Naagin on Zee TV which is no.1 right now. Another show which is very close to me is Astitva-Ek Pehchaan on DD-I.

This show has very beautiful story of how a small town girl comes to a big city and changes according to the life of metro. Her transformation is fabulous. Besides, in Madhur Bhadarkar's Fashion, I am playing a role similar to Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada.