It’s just simple!

Mona

She is touted as the biggest telly star; spending a few minutes at an event with Drashti Dhami, one exactly knows why! Pretty and vivacious, down-to-earth, totally in sync with surroundings, whether it’s the backdrop banner that needs some adjustment, or moving the dais for a better picture, this Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil’s Naina sails along with her fans.

Another shot, yet another selfie and Drashti is on, “I am all that I am due to my fans – so no I don’t get tired of clicking pictures,” says this happy, chirpy actor who never planned her life and has no intentions to either.

Pleased at the love she has received as Naina, Drashti is cool playing the role as long as it clicks with the audience, “If there is something you do not like about it, share with us, we will address it,” she offers. Channel, producer and concept are three parameters that she chooses a show on; the kind of role she gets to do, she has not much say in.

Leading lady

Often playing a woman who is facing tough circumstances, gets her shows the most TRPs, “A big chunk of the audience is rural and probably they somewhere relate to the struggle portrayed on the small screen.”

The stardom that telly has earned her hasn’t stopped her from living life as it was before it. “I still take the rickshaw, still go veggie shopping and eat on the roadside.”

Many lists have put her up in Sexiest Asian Women index... she laughs, “I am grateful for the ratings, but sexy and hot I don’t think I make the cut.”

She has found friends in telly stars — Mauni Roy, Sanaya Irani, Jennifer Winget and Nakuul Mehta — and regardless of constant comparisons, on who is a better performer and higher earner, Drashti finds this meaningless, “All of us are doing different kind of work and happy co-existing.” Neither has she any will to switch over to big screen, “I am happy and content with the kind of work I am getting.”

Perfect partner

Having found a perfect partner in Neeraj Khemka, for her life’s complete. Vivacious, she cannot contain the excitement that it’s her wedding anniversary and how she is looking forward to be home and pampered to the hilt. A conscious decision to marry someone out of the industry? “No, love happened,” she chuckles. How is life different post wedding, someone asks, “Not much, just I would sleep with mom earlier and now with my husband.” An afterthought though, “I must admit that I am pampered way more by my in-laws.”

In city to launch #CollarUPWithTide campaign, Drashti, dressed in a white tee with collar up and shiny rock sparkling on her ring finger, admits that she has a homemaker in her and on every off that gets, she loves to clean the house, much to the annoyance of her partner who would rather take her out!

Content in personal and professional life, there is still something that Drashti Dhami is yet to do — see Northern Lights and if possible to host a travelling show. Amen!

Now & then

About a decade in the industry, she is glad that work conditions have become comfortable, technology has taken a leap and her job is relatively less tiresome! “Earlier, we couldn’t switch off air-conditioners on the sets for the sound would interfere, but now we can! Also there are multiple cameras, so shots get okay faster,” she says.

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