‘It is a dream to work in films’
Gurdeep Kohli has been an actor for over 16 years, but that includes two long breaks after her kids were born. The actor, who has been part of numerous TV shows, feels glad that “people sit up and take notice” of her roles. “I am blessed to have done a variety of roles. It started with Sanjivani, which ran for three-and-half years. I then did Sinndoor-Tere Naam Ka, and replaced Prachi Desai in Kasamh Se, when the show was at its peak. After that, I played a negative role in Diya Aur Baati Hum last year,” she says. Gurdeep admits to having turned down many shows because she didn’t just want to play “the mother to the hero”. “I want to have a substantial role. In the eleven years of working, excluding the breaks, I have done fairly well, and I am very happy as an actor. I get a lot of respect from the channels, producers and other actors, who I work with. That is a result of the body of my work,” she adds. Having always played girl-next-door characters, Gurdeep finds the Maharashtrian costumes that she dons in her ongoing show, “exciting.”
While her career is doing well, Gurdeep wants to venture into films. She says, “I want to work in films. If not the lead heroine, I want to play a good character. I really feel I have done enough work and proved myself. I did Rowdy Rathore (2012) and the role was good but after that nothing happened. I want film-makers to notice that I can do a lot more than just playing the role of a sweet girl or a mother. It is a dream to work in films. I want to realise that dream now.”
Gurdeep credits the comedy show Best Of Luck Nikki for opening her up as a performer. “As a person I am calm, and when it comes to acting, I can deliver any scene. I have reached this level due to the comedy show. I feel every actor should do comedy as it helps you lose your inhibitions as an actor,” she says.
I want film-makers to notice that I can do a lot more than just playing the role of a sweet girl or a mother. GURDEEP KOHLI, ACTOR