‘I’m not missing out on anything in terms of films’
It’s safe to assume any actor would prefer making an acting debut in a glamorous role, more so in the 2000s. But Mona Singh gained the notice of the entire TV industry when she appeared in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, playing a plain Jane navigating life and work at a fashion company. Even otherwise, Mona has stayed away from regressive roles, something modern Indian TV is often associated with.
Shedding light on how she has managed to do that, the 38year-old says, “That show spoiled me (laughs). I realised that I should only do something that is out of the box and challenges me. Also, I do not follow people but create my own path.”
Mona also reveals that she was choosy right from the start. “I have done very few shows — I believe in quality over quantity. I’m lucky that people have considered me for different kinds of roles. I don’t regret any of my choices,” she maintains.
The actor has broken barriers with her roles in shows such as Kya Huaa Tera Vaada, Pyaar Ko Ho Jaane Do, and web series (Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain and the recent MOM — Mission Over Mars), even when her contemporaries opted for safer roles on TV. Mona says that it wasn’t easy to walk the path less taken.
“In this industry, the toughest thing to do is to say ‘no’. But my father taught me that in life you have to learn to say no. Yes, there have been tough calls and there were times when I had to wait for three to six months to get something exciting. But I was patient. I waited and was never in a hurry,” she says.
Mona has also featured in the films 3 Idiots (2009), Utt Pataang (2011) and Zed Plus (2014). She, however, has no regrets about not doing more films. “I never pursued films as such. I still don’t feel that I am missing out anything in terms of films. When films come to me, I do it, otherwise I am very happy where I am right now. I am in a good position. I can do TV, theatre, host shows, do web shows. I really don’t miss being part of films,” she says.
In this industry, the toughest thing to do is to say ‘no’. But my father taught me that in life you have to learn to say no. I was patient... I waited and was never in a hurry.
MONA SINGH ACTOR