‘I’ve never had 10 shows lined up’

In her nine-year career, Drashti Dhami has worked on a number of successful TV shows such as Geet and Madhubala. Although the actor is currently riding a wave of success with three back-to-back hit shows, she admits that she has certain insecurities. Drashti, who feels blessed to have friends whom she can share her concerns with and a loving husband at home, pours her heart out to HT Café.

You’re a successful TV celebrity, but how do you tackle insecurities?

I have been a bit insecure, as any professional would feel, but it’s never been so drastic that I would need help to deal with it. I have a good support system in my family, and my friends Sanaya Irani and Nakuul Mehta are actors too and know me well. I can pour my heart out to them without wondering if they will judge me. They are from the industry, so they understand where I am coming from and can help me accordingly. I feel blessed.

What is your criterion for signing a new show?

I have never been offered too many shows at the same time. I have never had 10 shows lined up. I have always known someone who is working on a show, and have received a call to discuss it. And things have fallen into place. I didn’t want to do the last show [I was offered], as it was planned to launch a month before my wedding last year. But they called again, I met them in the afternoon, and by the evening, everything was finalised. Things just click for me.

Would you say you are in the best phase of your career?

Touch wood (laughs). I couldn’t have asked for anything better than the shows I have done in the past, like Madhubala, my last show, and the new show I am working on. When it comes to my work or personal life, I don’t think the combination could get any better. I don’t know how to express my happiness.

I have been a bit insecure as any professional would feel, but it’s never been so drastic that I would need help to deal with it. DRASHTI DHAMI, ACTOR

Do you get nervous when you start working on a new show?

I always feel anxious. After every show, I go crying to the team saying, it’s not working out. But later, I get the hang of it. I had not worked for a few months (in 2015), so I started crying because I thought I had forgotten how to act and it wasn’t working out for me. People around me tell me, don’t worry, things will settle. Then after a week, I get the hang of the show and my character and feel like I belong there.

In what ways have you grown as an actor?

I have learnt that work comes first, so just focus on your work and not on anything else. Don’t get involved in any other drama. You have been working

continuously for the past few years. Would you call yourself a workaholic?

I am a proud workaholic. I love working.

Is it easy to maintain privacy?

I think it’s easy to maintain privacy if you want to. I have been doing it for so long. There are just some things that get blown out of proportion.

I think it’s easy to maintain privacy if you want to. I have been doing it for so long. DRASHTI DHAMI, ACTOR