Mona Singh: ‘Women are told how to be; never gave in to it’

In her 21st year in the industry Mona Singh is enjoying herself the most and she has OTT to thank for it Having played two diverse characters in her last two showsmdashMade in Heaven 2 and Kaala Paanimdashand gearing up for six more series the actor is happy the digital medium has embraced her In a chat she reflects on building her TV career on unconventional choices maintaining balance between OTT and movies and choosing characters that effect change for womenEdited excerpts from the interviewThe last two years have been a game changer for youmdashfrom Laal Singh Chaddha 2022 to Made in Heaven 2 Kaala Paani and now Munjya Your talent is finally meeting diverse opportunitiesI feel that way too The narratives have changed for women where we have more to do now We donrsquot have just one or two shades but 50 shades to portray I have found more success recognition and satisfaction as an actor in this phase of my career because of OTT These kinds of stories wouldnrsquot have been made on TV or on the big screen I feel happy and grateful to be a part of this industry during this change Also maintaining a balance between films and OTT is not easy Itrsquos great that I have been able to do itMany actors are unable to transition to other mediums because they establish a strong image on TV Do you think being selective about your projects kept you away from stereotyping and made it easier to bag work in other mediumsThere was nobody to guide me I had no one taking me under their wing So right from Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin I understood that I had different views and beliefs After Jassi I took a break from daily soaps because I knew if I jumped right into another everything would be compared to my first show I have been conscious about the kind of roles I choose the people I work with and the breaks I take because you have to maintain your exclusivity You cannot be overexposed Today wherever I stand itrsquos because of my choicesWhile you refused fiction shows after Jassi your peers went on to do many more shows and became smallscreen stars Werenrsquot you worried that not doing a daily soap would make people forget you or lead to less workWhen I did Jassi I was 22 But I took my own decisions Acting is the only profession where you donrsquot know whatrsquos happening tomorrow You donrsquot know which show you may be offered I took my chances There were actors switching from one set to another but I didnrsquot want to do that because I knew I was here for the long haul I didnrsquot want to burn out too soon I wanted to stay relevant and adapt to different mediums So I had to take some tough calls and refuse shows that I didnrsquot want to do I never succumbed and because of that I am still aroundStarting with your unconventional heroine you made refreshing choices not only on screen but also off it Were there instances where you were told to be a certain way because you are a female actorI come from a home where my parents never told me what to do The only condition that my parents had was that I finish my graduation They have never told me to be a certain way just because Irsquom a woman Yes relatives would have an opinion on it They told my parents lsquoOh Your daughter wants to be an actor She might bring shame to your familyrsquo But my parents paid no heed They gave me wings to fly Kids do well when their parents let them be In a household where parents have too many restrictions kids become the best liarsJassi empowered many girls and that is something I try to do with every character I play My thought process while choosing a character is that it should inspire women change and impact society in a positive way As women wersquore always told how to be what to eat whom to marry where not to go and Irsquove never given in to thatAre you playing any unconventional role soonI have fivesix shows coming up Irsquom playing a gangster in Pan Parda Zarda which also features Tanvi Azmi Tanya Maniktala and Priyanshu Painyuli That character is completely grey Therersquos a mad movie that I have done which will release by the yearend or next yearHave you ever discussed a Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin sequelWe used to discuss the possibility of a sequel but then everybody got busy with their lives I feel it should be made for OTT