Rakshanda Khan returns to the small screen

Rakshanda Khan is back on the small screen, after her maternity break, with Ekta Kapoor’s new thriller Brahmarakshas — Jaag Utha Shaitaan. The actress is seen warming hearts as the powerful matriarch Mohini in the show. We caught up with her on the sets for tête-a-tête. Excerpts:

You have played negative characters rather convincingly on TV but somehow you have never been typecast. Is it the seniority that allows you to enjoy certain privileges in the industry?
I believe that I have been just lucky, seniority or no seniority. I started with a show like Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat where I played a dark vamp. The character had become very popular and I would have easily received the same kind of roles, but right after that I did a show like Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi. The character I played in Jassi had by far the most real shades any character on television has ever had. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi followed Jassi, which was again a positive character with negative shades. I would say I was extremely lucky that I got to play positive and negative roles, both.

Your graph indicates that you are an Ekta loyalist; you never say no to her. Why this partiality?
I said yes to the show because Ekta produces it. Thankfully, by God’s grace, I have had a good equation with her. She has always been someone who has offered me good roles. If I’m getting out of my house then there has to be a good reason to do so, and this was one such role. I was going to be part of the production house with which I’ve done 90 percent of my work once again. Why would I say no then? Besides, it’s a finite series and I have never worked in this format before. Now I know when the show starts and ends and that’s when I will be planning my holidays.

Your daughter is just 18-month-old. It must be tough for a mother to stay away from a child that small. How are you coping with it now that you are tied to this soap?
The initial three days were really tough. But since my husband was at home I told him to send me her videos. I saw her busy playing, watching nursery rhymes, sitting on a swing with her grandmother, sleeping peacefully and in between when she asked for me they would distract her.  My child and I are blessed that we live with our family. Someone or the other is constantly there looking after her.  Ever since I have started working, everyone has been pampering her. I thought the moment I go back she will hug me and cry but no such drama happens!

Do you have a weakness for thrillers?
I’m attracted to thrillers. I started my career with Kya Hadsaa and now I have come back with Brahmarakshas.  I’m happy doing any format. As an actor it is important for me to explore more genres. Unfortunately, unlike films you don’t get many opportunities in TV.