‘I had become very lazy’

Daljeet Kaur is returning after a long gap with Kala Tikka on Zee. The past few months have been rough for her, as she filed for divorce from husband, actor Shaleen Bhanot and dwindling finances were making it difficult for her and her son Shaarav to live comfortably. Thus Kala Tikka is not just another show for Daljeet.

“It was not easy for me to look after my son’s welfare as I was totally broke. Finances play an import role in everyone’s life. Today I realise how important it is even for a housewife to save a little for a rainy day. Thankfully the support of my parents, who helped me, gave me shelter and took care of me and my son, helped me go through this rough patch,” she says.

Has Shaleen not tried to meet Shaarav? “No, not at all,” she says, adding, “He may claim that he is missing him etc. but he has never even called and asked about Shaarav.”

She adds, “My family, friends and my fans were my strength during these not so very good days. Also, my son helped me to be strong and work harder to be able to give him everything a growing child needs.”

About coming back to work after a gap, she says, “I had literally become a lazy bum. If it were not for money, I would have not started work. I feel my son is being deprived of my company. He is too small to be left alone. Luckily my folks take good care of him. I am also lucky that I have got Kala Tikka. I needed to work for the money.

“God has been kind as he has given me a very strong show and a great role as well. It is a homecoming for me. But I had to audition for the show. These days, auditions are essential as the makers get to see the perfect look that they need for the character in mind. Touchwood, I fit the character.”

She realises that life can get tough for a single mother. “I don’t know about others, but for me it is a torture to leave a small kid at home and go to work. If I had everything I needed, I would be the last person to resume work and leave my small kid home. He is the love of my life. I know that he too is missing me a lot. But since he cannot express in words, I feel pathetic to be away from him. I hope that these sacrifices of mine will bear fruit."

“My strength is nothing but a thought deep within me — I have not done anything wrong to anyone in my life. So I fully trust almighty god that I will pass this trying phase with flying colours,” she adds.

About turning down Bigg Boss Season 9, she says, “It would have never been possible for me to live without my kid. He would have been miserable without seeing me. Therefore I had to say no to BB. I have no regrets, nothing is more important than my son.

“Currently, I am shooting for 10-12 hours, which is okay. But being away from Shaarav for so long (for BB) would not have been possible for me. Maybe next year when he is a bit grown up, I may accept their offer, if at all I get one.

“I do not know anything about my future. I only think about tomorrow, but I do not like to ponder on the day after tomorrow. I hope God has something good for me in store,” she says, concluding that she is not seeing anyone else and the only man in her life is her son.