'This time I’ve a hoarding to myself ’
Renuka Shahane is facing the camera after a five-year break. Srabanti Chakrabarti catches up with the versatile TV anchor-actor

Be it as the smiling host of Surabhi, a gritty young woman in Imtihan, or the bahu in Kora Kagaz, Renuka Shahane has always been a darling of the media and the audience. So, it was little wonder that there would be a mad rush to talk to her, when she announced her return to the small screen through Jeete Hai Jiske Liye on Sony.

Her fans are awaiting the return of the girl who was one known as the Madhuri Dixit of Indian television. But where was Renuka all these years? "I am a mother of two young boys now. Two-year-old Satyendra and four-year-old Souryaman had kept me busy all these days. I was never in the rat race for making a great career and never wanted to run away from my duties as a mother. I always wanted to set things right in my life first."

`A0Then, what was it that made her decide on a comeback? "If it was not for my husband Ashutosh Rana, who inspired me to join back, I wouldn’t have done Jeete Hai Jiske Liye. He has been my source of inspiration always. Unfortunately, there have been rumours doing rounds that due to his conservative nature, I am not being allowed to work. Needless to say, these are lies and hopefully this serial would put an end to the rumours. Working is my passion but family is my priority. I took a break, knowing fully well its consequences."

`A0In Jeete Hai Jiske Liye, Renuka plays the role of Anjali – an orphan who had spent her childhood in an orphanage. She is an extremely intelligent and sensitive girl and meets her man on her birthday. Due to various twists and turns in the tale, Anjali is never allowed to become a mother. `A0"Sandeep Sikand (Sony’s creative head) had offered me other roles and even requested me to host some of their shows. But most of them did not appeal to me. Since I am a mother myself, I could relate to the character of Anjali well. It is a role packed with drama and emotions. In short an ideal comeback vehicle for me. (smiles) Many will be jealous after seeing my role in the serial."

`A0Renuka is facing the arc-lights after five years, and it was no easy job to get back in shape. During the interview, she was looking gorgeous and fighting fit. How did she manage this? "When I was carrying, on both occasions, I put on a lot of weight. I wanted to enjoy my pregnancy and did not want to rush back to work, so I took time to start the workouts. After my sons grew up a bit, I joined a gym and started getting back in shape by exercising and following a strict diet."

`A0Now that she is back, what are the differences she notices? "There has been a lot of change – a mix of good and bad. I have been working in this industry for 20 years now. I have never had a hoarding to myself in Mumbai. Jeete Hai Jiske Liye is the first serial where my photographs were put up on hoardings. So that is a big change for me!"

`A0Today, TRPs are a major factor for all television serials`85. "You are right. Today any serial with a bad TRP is wound off. During my early days, we never had so much of data, and yet it worked," candidly says Renuka. "Having said that, I must say that there is no way you can deny the importance of marketing campaigns. They create fantastic awareness and when the serial is launched almost everyone knows the character."

`A0Expectedly, the first day of shooting after such a long break was not very easy. "All my skills had turned rusty and I had to polish them one after the other. It took me a few days to get comfortable with the goings-on. But once I got used to it, it was a very nice feeling to be back. Everyone accepted me with open arms," admits the actor.