Mumbai, Maharashtra: Bollywood and television actress Mona Singh along with actor Mihir Ahuja spoke to IANS in an exclusive conversation about their upcoming show 'Maa Ka Sum'. During the interaction, Mona also reflected on her cult classic show 'Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin', while Mihir shared his experience of working with Actresses Suhana Khan and Khushi Kapoor in 'The Archies'. Mona further discussed the evolving concept of Womanhood in modern times, adding depth to the conversation around her role and the show’s theme.
#MonaSingh #MihirAhuja #MaaKaSum #JassiJaissiKoiNahin #TheArchies #SuhanaKhan #KhushiKapoor #Bollywood #IndianTelevision #WebSeries #OTT #EntertainmentNews #ExclusiveInterview #IANS #Womanhood #ModernWomen #ActingLife #HindiCinema #CelebTalk #YouthActors #ShowBuzz #BehindTheScenes #IANS
#MonaSingh #MihirAhuja #MaaKaSum #JassiJaissiKoiNahin #TheArchies #SuhanaKhan #KhushiKapoor #Bollywood #IndianTelevision #WebSeries #OTT #EntertainmentNews #ExclusiveInterview #IANS #Womanhood #ModernWomen #ActingLife #HindiCinema #CelebTalk #YouthActors #ShowBuzz #BehindTheScenes #IANS
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FunTranscript
00:01Welcome Mona and Mihir to INS. It is an absolute pleasure to have you with us on board today.
00:07Firstly, tell us Markasam. He is a very quirky name.
00:12So apart from the name, what made you say yes to the project and how are you looking at the
00:18audience?
00:18What are your expectations from the show?
00:26So, Markasam, yes, the title is very, very quirky.
00:29It's a show about mother and son, mother and her 19-year-old son, new dynamic, new relationship,
00:37establishing that a mother and son relationship is based on a lot of love, respect and a lot of freedom
00:44to grow together, to evolve together, give each other that amount of space and respect that one deserves.
00:50So it's a very progressive show with layered characters.
00:55So for me, it was a big yes for me to try something new.
00:58I'm always in for something new.
01:01So I'm sure people are going to enjoy it because it surely is one of a kind.
01:09I mean, yeah, it's a very fresh and a very new show, very new concept.
01:13When I first got a call for this, I was like, okay, this is, you know, I'm playing a mathematician
01:19in this, like a math prodigy.
01:20And I've played a footballer, I've played a musician, but this was something very new.
01:26So I was like, okay, I mean, this is very interesting.
01:35And my dad was also very happy because he is very good in maths and my sister.
01:39And I was like, wow, acting is what I'm doing.
01:43So this is also one reason I love this profession because you get to be so many different characters
01:47and live so many different lives in a way.
01:50So yeah, it was an instant yes.
01:52And also for the people who are making this show, our showrunner and producer, Babita Ma'am
01:57and Nicholas, who's our director.
02:00So when I met them, I was like, okay, I have to do this.
02:02They're lovely people.
02:03And of course, Mona Ma'am, I got to work with her again.
02:08Right.
02:09You know, as you rightly said that this show revolves around a lot about math, mathematics, basically.
02:13How good are you, even in today's world, when you talk about math?
02:17How good are you with mathematics?
02:20Like equations, but on paper equations, how good are you?
02:23See, in school, school to math, you haven't done maths.
02:27College, I had commerce, but I didn't have maths.
02:29I had accounts.
02:30So I was decent.
02:32I won't say I was excellent in maths.
02:35Because school, I'm extra-curricular activities, I'm busy around drama, dance, stage performances.
02:40So I used to score a good 65-70% in all the subjects.
02:45So yeah, I mean, I wasn't great, but I was good.
02:50My dad used to always ask me, will you pass?
02:53For maths.
02:54Will you pass?
02:55I said, I'm going to 33.
02:57So 33 used to be the passing number for math, or for any subject, for that matter.
03:02So yeah, I used to just pray to God, will pass in maths.
03:05Rest all the subjects, I was brilliant.
03:07Not even average, I was above average.
03:10But yeah, I have also done commerce.
03:11My education was BCom.
03:13So numbers have always been a part of my life.
03:16So I'm good with money.
03:17I'm good with investments.
03:18But if you ask me to solve a problem equation, it will be beta.
03:22I have to put my pre-pronged job.
03:23Right, one of the questions for you.
03:26Okay.
03:26In this show, you're playing a mother.
03:28Yes.
03:34I know that you have been in the part of the industry for such a long time.
03:38When you work with young generation actors, what is the stark difference when you were
03:43in that age and now with this generation because it is said that Gen Z is very impatient and
03:48this and that.
03:49What is your take on this overall?
03:52I honestly don't feel that Gen Z is impatient.
03:55I think they are very smart, they are very calculated in their moves, which were not us.
04:04I get to learn a lot from actors like Mihir and the younger generation.
04:11It's a journey of constant learning and unlearning.
04:14When you are on such a happy, bright, positive set, you just absorb a lot of good things around
04:21you.
04:21So in this show, our director, Nick, Babita, not only the producer but the showrunner,
04:27Mihir, we all were having fun.
04:29And when everybody is so driven and passionate about what they want to do, what you see on
04:35screen is something extraordinary that we managed to create.
04:37And that's what I live for.
04:39Right.
04:40Absolutely.
04:40Mihir, this question is for you.
04:43We have grown up watching her as Jussi.
04:45We have seen many characters.
04:47We have seen many characters in our Jussi.
04:47We have seen many characters in our Jussi.
04:48We have seen many characters in our Jussi.
04:49We have seen many characters in our Jussi.
04:50We have seen many characters in our Jussi.
04:51So Mona is very synonymous to Jussi.
04:53Yeah.
04:53But that doesn't mean that you have taken away from your other characters.
04:56Of course.
04:56But I want to ask you the question that while growing up, did you manage to...
05:02I did.
05:03I did.
05:03I mean, my parents used to watch that show.
05:07And I was a lot of children.
05:09But I was still walking in the house.
05:13That iconic look with the specs.
05:15I still remember that.
05:18And I think she's known for that show.
05:20But if you take any work, it can be iconic.
05:25Because the way she just portrays any character.
05:27You know, she just like gets into that zone.
05:30And you can't see a shade of Mona in that character.
05:33So I think, of course, there weren't so many shows.
05:35There weren't so many platforms.
05:37There was only one.
05:38So she's known for Jussi.
05:40And of course, that was the beginning.
05:42Yeah.
05:42But today, like any character, I think she does it with such ease and effortlessness.
05:49If that's a word.
05:50Yeah.
05:51I think Vinita in the show is the modern Jussi.
05:55If you look at her fringe.
05:57If you look at, you know, how she is.
05:58She's really bald.
05:59Pretty much the same hairdo.
06:01Yeah.
06:01She's come a long way.
06:02She's come a long way.
06:03Yes.
06:03Yeah.
06:05This question is for you again.
06:07That, when you tell her that Mona is going to be a role of her mother.
06:11And she's going to be a co-star.
06:12So firstly, what was your reaction?
06:14And secondly, when you have worked with her.
06:16It's not for her.
06:18So, what is that particular quality?
06:25That particular thing that you have learnt from her without her having to sit you down and explain?
06:32If I'm going to say it, the list won't be finished.
06:35Oh.
06:35Oh.
06:35Yeah.
06:38Firstly, she's very punctual, which I really like.
06:40I also liked one thing about her which I learnt from her is that I'm still trying to imply in
06:45my life.
06:45Is, you know, as actors we get a call time and we get a set time.
06:50And she, most of the time she wouldn't wait for the AD to tell her that, you know, come on
06:54set.
06:55If she's ready, she'll just come to set.
06:57And that also, there is a great learning, you know.
07:01Because as actors, you can, you know, feel the vibe of the place.
07:04You're going to shoot the scene.
07:06You know, you can imagine yourself.
07:08And I think, someone in the interview, Rufan, it was the same thing about you.
07:11That when he went to the set, he was just watching the scene.
07:16So basically, he visions himself in that place.
07:19That I'm going to get up there, then I'm going to do this, then I'm going to get up there.
07:22Because, you know, when acting is merged with activity,
07:25It's, it's, in real life, if I'm talking about, you know,
07:28If we talk about, we talk about, we talk about, we talk about, we talk about, we talk about, we
07:31talk about, we talk about, we talk about.
07:32So I think that is acting.
07:34If you merge with activities.
07:36So that's what was in Rufan and that's what was in Mona Maham.
07:39I think she, I think she, she really like, takes the set in.
07:45She looks at it.
07:47And that is something which I would like, want to take it ahead with me in my career, which I've
07:53seen in her.
07:53Yeah.
07:54Yeah.
07:54My question is for you.
07:56Yes.
07:56That, just say abhi thalana kuch saalu se sabo gode ki Bobbie Deolka, it's his comeback time.
08:02In the next one, in that.
08:03And finally got a few credit and this and that.
08:05But personally for me, I feel like, Bobbie Deolka jise male version mein hai.
08:08Rufan Diya.
08:10I feel it is youth.
08:12Because which like kuch saaloe say if I can say, it's Mona's sang everywhere.
08:16be it Bads of Bollywood, Be It's Ovedar,
08:18and other shows as well.
08:20So I want to know that do you kind of see this entire phase
08:23as a new beginning of your career
08:26in the second half of what you said?
08:30New beginning?
08:31Yes, you see, these are the things
08:34that I always wanted to do, you know,
08:36because I really love the craft.
08:38I genuinely love acting.
08:39So, and I'm very, very grateful
08:41that I'm finally getting these opportunities.
08:43So I feel very grateful that the industry
08:46is, you know, catching up
08:47and giving me all these, you know,
08:48different experimental roles to do.
08:51So time is over, and I'm celebrating it.
08:56So also, I think this is the 23rd and 24th year
08:59of Justi Jasi Koi.
08:59Yes, 24th.
09:0024th, oh my God, 24th year of Justi Jasi Koi nai.
09:04I remember, I had to tell you
09:06that the look of Justi Koi,
09:08it was very secretive,
09:09it was very secretly,
09:10it was basically that the media
09:12didn't allow the media to go there
09:13or it wasn't allowed
09:16do you think Koi,
09:19considering social media ka jo time hai,
09:21everything is out there,
09:22it's very difficult for actors
09:23to keep certain things secretive
09:25or personal or private.
09:27Do you think aisa kuch
09:28is time me karna possible hai?
09:30Possible hai.
09:31You see, there is nothing impossible.
09:33There are very strict NDAs
09:35and actors also comply by that,
09:36you know.
09:37There have been so many looks of mine
09:39jo kabhi out nahi hoi hai
09:40because of the NDA
09:42and because of being mindful.
09:44I've been very very careful ki jo bhi
09:46hum still set pe leete hai ho kabhi bahar na hai.
09:48You know, because there's a lot
09:49that goes into creating a character,
09:51a show, a project.
09:52Toh one has to be responsible.
09:54Right.
09:55Yeah.
09:56But me, this question is for you
09:57that you worked in the Archie's host.
10:00Haan ji.
10:01So I want to know ki
10:02when you worked in the show,
10:05in the show,
10:06so I want to know.
10:07Film, yeah.
10:07In the film.
10:08So us time pe,
10:09hapke four stars jo the,
10:11they come from,
10:12they come from established
10:13Bollywood families, right?
10:14How difficult or easy was it for you
10:16to kind of sink in with them
10:17very easily
10:18because they already knew
10:19a lot of things
10:19how the industry works.
10:21Yeah.
10:21How easy or difficult was it?
10:22It wasn't difficult at all.
10:24I mean, see,
10:26I come in,
10:28you know,
10:28whenever I do any project,
10:30come in with an empty slate,
10:31with a clean slate,
10:32ki sabse kuch sikhne ka moka mil jai.
10:35And I learnt a lot
10:37from all of them,
10:38from Suhana, Agastya, Kushi.
10:40I think,
10:41because, you know,
10:42as you said,
10:43they come from
10:43the Bollywood families.
10:45So they've grown up
10:45around films.
10:47So they had a certain learning,
10:48which I got to learn.
10:50And
10:50kaafi kuch sikhne ka mela.
10:52And we
10:53really had a blast
10:54shooting for the film.
10:56Right, right.
10:58Also,
11:00how can I forget this?
11:01Gaurav Ghera
11:02is currently
11:03the
11:03what do you call it?
11:06The trending word
11:07on social media
11:08and everyone's minds as well.
11:10You have had
11:11a very long association
11:12with him.
11:13And I feel
11:13Just C to C
11:14star cast
11:15has arrived
11:15this year.
11:17So I want to know,
11:18did you manage
11:19see the movie
11:20and if yes,
11:21how did you find
11:22Gaurav Ghera
11:23and aapke demamme
11:24wo Gaurav Ghera
11:25and yeh Gaurav Ghera
11:26I have seen his journey.
11:28I have seen him grow.
11:29I have seen him change,
11:30evolve.
11:32But one thing
11:33that I really, really
11:34admire about him
11:34is staying consistent.
11:36Jab usko
11:36uske pasand ka kaam nahi mil rata,
11:38he was still keeping himself
11:39creatively busy.
11:40You know,
11:41doing his videos
11:43like Chutki
11:44and Shopkeeper
11:44and all of that.
11:45He kept himself busy
11:46because this is what
11:47he loves to do.
11:48You know,
11:49and when I watched
11:50Dhurandar
11:50I felt so proud of him.
11:53You know,
11:53it's a journey
11:54that has come
11:55to a full circle.
11:56And now there were
11:57so many memes trending
11:58ki Alam bhai
11:59jasi ke saath hai.
12:01Phele vhi jasi ke saath
12:02ab jasi ke saath hai.
12:03So yeah,
12:04people are celebrating it
12:06and I feel
12:07very, very happy
12:08and proud as a friend.
12:10Right, absolutely.
12:11I also have this question
12:12for both of you
12:13that
12:13Aajkal ke Zamaane Mina
12:14aise kehten ki
12:15casting is done
12:16is based on
12:17the aapke kate followers
12:19hain social media pe
12:20and all of that.
12:21Agar mein aapse pooch ho
12:22do you think
12:23that takes away
12:23from the actors
12:24who have actually
12:25learnt acting
12:26who have come
12:27from the theatre background
12:28and all
12:28aur abhi aake shahe
12:29unke followers
12:30itne ne hain hain
12:30but unke
12:30joe bhi nae generation
12:321 million, 2 million followers
12:33hain uske basis pe
12:34casting ho.
12:35How much do you think
12:36that is fair
12:36and what is your take on it?
12:38See, honestly
12:39it is the producer,
12:40it is the casting director,
12:41it is the director
12:42who takes a call.
12:43And if they feel
12:44that because a certain
12:45influencer has
12:46so many following
12:47and if they can grab
12:49more eyeballs
12:50because of casting them
12:51then why not?
12:52Because you see
12:52this is also a business.
12:54You know,
12:55one has to get
12:55some subscribers,
12:57one has to get
12:57some talking points.
13:00Toh actor
13:00banna ya na banna
13:02ho toh unke upare
13:02unki kismata hai
13:03whether they are good
13:04or not.
13:05But it's a choice
13:06that the creatives
13:07take.
13:08You know,
13:08so mere saath
13:09ho nahi hua hain
13:09because thankfully
13:10I have been around
13:11for many years
13:12so people don't look
13:12at the number of followers
13:13but maybe now
13:15with the new casting
13:15that is the norm.
13:17So I think
13:18one should change
13:19and evolve with times.
13:20Pher aage pata chal jata hai
13:21ki wo actor
13:22hai ya nahi hai.
13:23You know,
13:24it's a risk
13:25that they take.
13:27And what have you got?
13:29Yeah, I think
13:29absolutely, yeah.
13:30I always have
13:31great respect
13:32for content creators
13:33and as said,
13:34I mean,
13:34I'm an actor first
13:36and then now
13:36getting into,
13:37you know,
13:37like being active
13:39on Insta
13:39because I have to
13:41and it does help
13:42though.
13:43I think
13:43if
13:44as Mona ma'am said
13:46ki
13:46agar apke followers
13:47hai ya numbers
13:47hai and
13:48if it's benefiting
13:49the show in any way
13:51to the producer
13:51you know,
13:52to reach places
13:54why not?
13:55But of course
13:56that person
13:57should fit the character
13:58and be a good actor.
13:59So that's the producer's call.
14:00So if
14:01a person is a good actor
14:02and has good numbers
14:03so dab tu fir
14:04sonye pi suhaga ho jata hai.
14:05But
14:06I'm an actor first
14:07and I'll always be an actor first
14:08because that's how I started
14:10and
14:10I have no regrets.
14:11I've been
14:12getting calls for
14:13touchwood good projects.
14:15People are reaching out to me
14:16in terms of my
14:17basis,
14:18my acting
14:18and basis of project
14:20projects I've done.
14:21But yeah,
14:22I think
14:22this is the age
14:23where you have to like
14:24invest in both the industries
14:26in a way.
14:26This is a totally different industry
14:28in a way
14:28like content creation.
14:30So you have to be present
14:32I think
14:32in both the industries
14:33because
14:33aaj kal har kohi star
14:35ban jata hai.
14:35You know,
14:36there are digital superstars
14:37because
14:38there are so many mediums
14:39so
14:40you have to invest in both
14:41and be mindful of
14:42you know
14:43there's a very thin line
14:44be mindful of
14:44you know
14:44not to like
14:46indulge yourself
14:46in
14:48one
14:49industry a lot
14:50and
14:51and
15:12I can't name just one character
15:14which has been closest to my heart.
15:15you see
15:18I'm not just an actor
15:19with a long career
15:20you see
15:21I'm an actor
15:24whose work looks like
15:25you know
15:27curation
15:27curated collection
15:28more than a random pile of work
15:30so I've been very mindful
15:32about the characters
15:32I've chosen
15:33or the projects
15:34that I've chosen
15:34so every
15:36character for me
15:37is a standout one
15:38so
15:38and
15:39and I've taken back
15:40something from each character
15:41that I've played
15:42you know
15:42some things always stay with you
15:44my journey
15:45if you're talking from
15:46Jesse till now
15:47it's
15:47it's been a journey of
15:49you know
15:49constant learning
15:50and a lot of gratitude
15:52and
15:53and staying consistent
15:54you know
15:54staying a little experimental
15:56taking
15:56taking a little more risks
15:58in life
15:58you know
16:00I want to live a
16:01fuller life
16:02a wholesome life
16:03and how do you do that
16:05you do that by
16:05by facing your fears
16:07you know
16:07by choosing courage
16:08over self-doubt
16:09so if I have to name
16:11not one
16:11but a few characters
16:13that have stayed with me
16:14I'd say it's definitely
16:15Bulbul Jauri
16:16from Made in Heaven
16:19it resonated with me
16:20and with a lot of women
16:21out there
16:22and
16:23now
16:23Makassam
16:24Vinita
16:25Kora
16:26Subedar
16:26all those characters
16:28have stayed with me
16:29yeah
16:29they're strong women
16:31you know
16:31when you talk about
16:32strong women in the industry
16:33you're definitely there
16:34in the top five years
16:35for sure
16:36so because
16:37not just because of the way
16:38you act
16:38but also in real life
16:40the way you talk
16:40and the way you are very
16:41you don't mince words
16:43by talking
16:43so
16:45I wanted to know
16:46that
16:46aajke zamanane mein
16:47abhi bhi kahi na kahi
16:48ham kata bhi
16:49poly progressive hai
16:49era in this and that
16:50but abhi bhi kahi na kahi
16:52he hota hai
16:52that if you're not naive
16:53if you don't have a child
16:54to aapka
16:56woman ka jo identity hai
16:58go complete nahi hai
16:59aasa abhi bhi kate hai
17:00logo pressure hota hi hai
17:01what is your take on that?
17:03I have never taken
17:04sir
17:04I have never taken
17:05to these pressures
17:06I have never given
17:07into these pressures
17:08you see
17:09ye kaam hai
17:09logoon ka kehna
17:10you know
17:11logoon ka kaam hai
17:12kehna
17:12logoon ka kaam hai
17:13to pull you down
17:14to bring you down
17:14to poke you
17:15to irritate you
17:16but ours is not
17:17to get affected
17:18ours is to live
17:19the life that we
17:20want to
17:20because we are the
17:21ones paying our bills
17:22we are the ones
17:23taking the calls
17:24and we are the ones
17:24who are living our life
17:25you know
17:26so I never get affected
17:27with these questions
17:28when I wasn't married
17:30this was a constant question
17:31when you're getting married
17:32when you're getting married
17:33are you finding me
17:34the boy
17:34no
17:35so
17:36I have lived
17:37on my own terms
17:38and I think
17:38that's the best way
17:39to live
17:40you're only answerable
17:41to yourself
17:42you take responsibility
17:43for all the choices
17:44so yeah
17:46I'm living a beautiful
17:48full life
17:50and the last question
17:51of both of you
17:52this particular project
17:54also stars
17:55Randeer Bular
17:56and aap ka toot ka
17:58restaurant
17:59yes
18:00so you wanted to know
18:01how do you think
18:01conversations
18:03plus you're a Punjabi
18:04yes
18:05so conversations
18:06were there around
18:06chale patore and parata
18:08or how was it
18:09and even yours as well
18:10there were a lot
18:11of conversations
18:12around food
18:12and he even
18:13prepared some
18:14mutton or chicken dish
18:16for all of us
18:17I think so
18:17yeah he did
18:18and
18:19two years ago
18:21I know
18:22but he's such a
18:23such a good guy
18:24to work with
18:24you know
18:25and he was asking
18:26me constantly
18:27I'm like
18:27I'm like
18:28Nick
18:28I'm like
18:29our director
18:30let's jam
18:31so it's good
18:32to collaborate
18:33it's good to
18:34you know
18:34be on the same page
18:36it is good to be
18:36passionate about
18:37you know
18:38what you do
18:39and he's so
18:40passionate about
18:40food and life
18:41and you know
18:42just everything
18:44so it was very nice
18:45to work with
18:46Ranveer
18:47and he also
18:49mentioned that
18:49he wants to come
18:50to Kona Kona
18:50and I want to
18:51definitely create
18:52a recipe with him
18:54and introduce
18:55that on our menu
18:56yeah
18:58yes it was
18:59lovely to work
19:00with him
19:00I didn't have
19:00a lot of
19:01scenes with him
19:02but whenever
19:03we were on set
19:03we used to
19:04chill and
19:06we used to
19:06talk about
19:06food a lot
19:07as Mona said
19:09and yes
19:10it was a
19:11fun experience
19:11shooting with him
19:13just one question
19:14this is the last
19:16one for sure
19:17so that's a
19:18volume of time
19:19that you edit
19:19in Dunia
19:21Haseino Kamele
19:21I won't be able
19:22to talk about
19:23that now
19:24we are here
19:24for Prime
19:26we are here
19:26for Prime
19:28sorry
19:28why would you
19:30want audiences
19:31to see
19:31Mark
19:32I think it's
19:34a very fresh
19:35very new show
19:37and there are
19:38not many
19:39shows where
19:40you can
19:40see mathematical
19:42equations come
19:43to life
19:43and
19:47as in
19:47this character
19:48Gastia
19:49you know
19:50he's looking
19:51for a date
19:51for his single
19:52mom here
19:52using his
19:53algorithms
19:53which I find
19:55very interesting
19:56and
19:57I think the
19:58audience would
19:58also really
19:59resonate with it
20:02yeah it's
20:03the characters
20:04are layered
20:05the show
20:06is fresh
20:06it's warm
20:07it's humorous
20:08it's witty
20:09you know
20:10and so progressive
20:11and I think
20:12it's the need
20:13of the hour
20:13which is why
20:14people should
20:15watch a show
20:15like Mark
20:16some
20:20so I am
20:21very much
20:22like Vinita
20:23in life
20:23I am very
20:24chill
20:24I am very
20:25I'm a little
20:26bit emotional
20:27thoda
20:27more logical
20:28practical
20:28so yes
20:29very much
20:30like Vinita
20:31but not a
20:31single mother
20:32you know
20:32so for me
20:33also it was
20:33a whole new
20:34territory to
20:35explore
20:35and I really
20:36had a good
20:37time
20:37thank you
20:38thank you
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