I am not a feminist but an equalist: Ridhi Dogra
Pretty and petite Ridhi Dogra is currently playing Savitri and Princess Damayanti in Life Ok’s Savitri.
In an interview with us, the actress speaks of her role in the above show, the characters that she played earlier, among many other interesting topics. Excerpts:
Which character do you like playing more – Damayanti or Savitri?
(smiles) Though both are diagonally different roles, they are very challenging. So, I just can’t choose one of them as my favourite.
What do you think of the historical/ mythological tale of Savitri?
Honestly, the first time I did hear the mythological tale of Savitri was right after my marriage. My mother-in-law does Savitri puja like many Maharashtrian women do. Some feminist women ask me as to how I can do a role like this. They feel that a woman’s life should not revolve around her husband. Therefore they think that it is regressive that a woman fights for her husband’s life. I feel that the husband here is just a metaphor. Savitri is just doing what a woman believes in doing. The character of Savitri is very powerful and she is confident of standing up for an ordinary belief.
It’s natural that any woman would fight for the long life of the man she loves. Why should one think that a woman is weak because of that?
Those who think like that are extremists in their way of thinking. Everyone has the right to think the way they wish to, though. I am not a feminist but an equalist. I do not believe in competing with a man. Feminists believe that a woman does not need a man while I feel that both genders need one another. Savitri is currently standing up for what she believes in. She feels that her husband is alive though others feel that she is a crazy woman to be thinking like that. Maybe Savitri isn’t a careerist, but she is more powerful than any woman who owns an office.
Savitri can see spirits. Did you have any brush with the supernatural ever?
Luckily, I haven’t had any encounter of the supernatural kind till date and firmly believe that there are spirits all around us. Especially if a person dies without fulfilling his worldly missions, he wishes to linger on in the earthly realm.
A few words about your co-star Yash Pandit…
Yash is a very nice guy. It is not just me who thinks like that. Our common friends think the same. He is a very diligent actor who is very open to suggestions and improvisations.
Savitri prays to Jesus. Isn’t it nice that shows are being quite secular nowadays?
Christianity indeed has been depicted very well in the serial. Mother Superior’s character has been etched out well too. As India is a secular country, it is high time that we depict religious minorities in our shows too. All this goes to prove that Savitri is a very different kind of a show.
Would you elaborate?
Savitri is very different from any daily soap; it is a larger than life story.
What kind of roles would you never do?
I can never play the role of a weak and meek bechari (helpless) village girl. Otherwise, I am open to doing all kinds of roles.
Of all the roles you played, which is the role that is closest to your heart?
I have learnt a lot from each and every role that I have played. The roles closest to my heart are that of Savitri in Savitri and Priya in Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? I have also learnt a lot from the small roles that I have played. Even from my minor roles in Laagi Tujhse Lagan, Seven and Rishta.com, I had learnt a lot.
In Laagi Tujhse Lagan, it was supposed to be a month’s cameo but it continued for four to five months. From that show, I learnt how to react. In Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? , I learnt about improvisation. Savitri is very different from any show that I have done. I choose carefully from the roles I have been offered.
What is your husband’s impression of your role in Savitri?
Rakesh (Vashisht) feels that I am very lucky in doing a role that many male actors would die to do. This role isn’t gender specific, though. Both men and women would love to do it. He thinks that it is a fabulous role which I can do full justice to.
