I fail to understand how I can justify playing a mother to grown-up kids on TV – Shweta P Munshi

Shweta P Munshi who essayed the role of a mother in Zee TV’s Bandhan now looks beyond the ‘mother’ roles, and wants to play the lead in a romantic show or a period drama. However, she is of late being offered roles of a mother to grown-up kids, and this has irked the actress a little bit.

Says Shweta, “An actor should be judged by his/her calibre, and the range of performance he/she has put in. As an actor, I can make a choice in roles offered, and politely decline to be typecast. Having said this, I fail to understand how I can justify playing a mother to grown-up kids on TV right now. I have declined a few mother roles that were offered, as I was not convinced myself. I would rather wait for a more fulfilling and challenging role.”

On the kind of roles she is looking at now, Shweta explains, “With changing trends in TV, we are not short of good concepts. I would want to play a lead, and probably take up a romantic show or a period drama. I did not want to believe this before, that I have been typecast after my role in Bandhan. But I took up Bandhan for a different reason altogether; I thought this would be a perfect impactful short term role, as its concept was very unique. I am disappointed that there is usually a mold formation, and quite similar roles come across your way in TV.”

So how do you think an actor can break the image formed and move on? “To break the image formed is a joint effort of casting and acting. Understandably, it is only possible through efficient and effective casting, and convincingly justified acting.”

On her views on the current lot of actresses in TV, Shweta avers, “There are a few intelligent actors on TV who can act. However, we need projects where the girl is well-written and more dynamic. The girl can be a bit edgy or selfish, but has to be the hero of the story.”

Shweta, we hope the industry takes note of your thoughts!!