Radhika Bhirani
New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) She is one of the most sought after anchors at award functions now, but actress Mona Singh admits nothing can surpass the success of her debut show "Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin" - which is why she consciously stays away from fiction content on television.
"It has been a conscious decision to avoid taking up a daily soap. I think nothing can be bigger and better than my role in 'Jassi...' in terms of fiction content. Besides, people will still relate to me as Jassi, which will not be in the interest of any new character that I play in a TV show," said Mona who will turn 31 this year.
The actress, who became a household name in India after playing the desi "Ugly Betty" on the idiot box during 2003-2006, also has other reasons to avoid fiction shows.
"Actors who are a part of daily soaps have no personal life or time to do anything. I don't want to be in such a situation...so I am happy with whatever I am doing. Also, these days all the shows are about the rural set-up...I really don't think I look like a 'gareeb farmer ki beti (poor farmer's daughter)' and so there's not much that I can really think of doing," she added.
However, she enjoys every bit of anchoring and hosting reality shows on the tube.
"Anchoring is not something I always knew...but what I enjoy most about it is that I get to be me. I love cracking jokes, I love chitchatting and pulling people's leg...and all that I get to do when I am hosting a show. So, yes, I love it because I love being myself," said Mona, whose real identity was kept under wraps for quite some time during the run of "Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin".
While she is already hosting Sony TV's "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4", Mona has become a co-host of Imagine TV's latest reality show "Shaadi 3 Crore Ki", which started Monday.
The show is unique as it gives a middle class family a whopping Rs.30 million to celebrate a wedding much beyond their wildest imagination. Mona, who will be anchoring it along with actor Ali Asgar, is quite excited about being part of the show and revelling in the run-up to the big, fat, traditional Punjabi wedding!
"This is exciting because we are going to be shooting out of the studios and here in Delhi. What's more exciting is that it's not really going to be like hosting a show literally. I am going to represent the girl's side, I am going to be like a family member involved in all the preparations...so there are no scripted lines...it's all natural," said Mona, who was here for the launch of the show.
Even if she is getting a different high by thinking about the lavish ways in which Rs.30 million can be spent on a middle class family wedding, marriage is still a far-fetched thought for Mona.
"I really don't know when I will get married...It will happen some time though, I hope!" she said, bursting into her typical laughter.
So what would Mona do if she were given Rs.30 million to splurge on her wedding? "I would not think normal!" she exclaimed instantly.
"I would get a limited-edition designer lehenga, my anklet would not be silver or gold...it will be of diamonds! Then I would probably hire a cruise to get married in style in the middle of the sea, and would want my husband to come in a chopper - I would basically go completely out-of-the-box for my wedding!" she added.
Mona, who once dated her 'Jassi...' co-star Karan Oberoi, said: "Of course, I want to get married, but I don't know when."
Never mind if, in a red and white sari with traditional earrings, Mona looked like the perfect prospective bride, waiting for Mr. Right!