I am not a tanturum queen and people still think that I am

Says Rati Pandey aka Indira of Trilogy Krikos’ Hitler Didi on Zee TV, who shares more about her personal life, childhood days, her life as Indira and her Bollywood dream with us

How is Rati in her real life? Tell us something about your childhood?
I was a biggest prankster during my childhood days, which I have enjoyed to the fullest. However after I entered the 6th standard it wasn’t a lot of fun. I was born in Assam, lived there for seven years and then moved to Patna followed by Delhi. It was a great journey. The best part about it was playing with friends everyday.

Did you ever think of being an actor while you were a child?
We dream a lot in our childhood days (laughs). What we want to become when we grow old is something that changes all the time. We set our goal according to the subject that interests us. I dreamt of becoming a pilot (laughs). I had always thought since my childhood days that I will be doing the kind of work for which I don’t have to work under any boss. I never wanted to do office work. I always thought of becoming a pilot or starting up a business. Scientist toh banne se rahi because I was least interested in Science and Maths. I used to get the lowest marks in Maths (laughs). I was more inclined towards Arts. I used to dance and organize events during my school and college days. Sushant Singh Rajput’s elder sister used to be my classmate and we both were best friends.
We both were inclined towards singing, dancing and organizing events together. Now I feel that because of that I am here today. We used to imitate people a lot. I used to watch some daily soaps too after coming back from school but now I cannot. I had honestly never thought of becoming an actor since I was a lot into singing and dancing.

How did Hitler Didi happen to you?
God has given me the bestest gift till date. After Miley Jab Hum Tum, I purposely sat at home for 9 months doing nothing because I didn’t want to work that time for 2-3 months. I used to get calls for the same bubbly character which I played in Miley Jab Hum Tum. I want to do something new this time. I signed a Star Plus show that time but the show couldn’t go on air due to some reasons. After singing the Star Plus show, I got a call from this production house and I gave the look test and got selected. I thought that I got the best character that too solo. I had always wanted to essay a solo character. It’s a single character and a challenging one along with a novelty factor. Women have always been portrayed as weak in TV soaps but this is something different and a strong character so, I thought that this is the best character that I can play.

How difficult was it to get into the character of Indira?
Initially when the show started, India never smiles. However, off-screen I am a person who has a smiling face at all times. It was little difficult for me to play the character in the first few days, subtly without making it feel over dramatic. I had to work on this character and now I have got involved in this character and people are scared of me in real life too. People have begun to consider me as Hitler in real life too (laughs).

Which show according to you has proved as a turning point for your career?
I guess, it is Hitler Didi! I would rather say Miley Jab Hum Tum too because I got recognition from that show. When I got a call for Hitler Didi, it was something which I had to prove on-screen. I have always wanted to be known because of a character not because of a story or a show. I thank God that Hitler Didi was a turning point for my career.

What interests you other than acting?
I sing a lot. Music is my passion. I don’t like reading books all the time but I love to listen to the music all the time. I shop a lot too. I have also started cooking; I can say that I have become a good cook now (laughs). Whenever I get a gap of 2-3 days, I love to experiment on cooking and interior decoration.

How do fans react when they see you?
They get very excited to see me off-screen. They start questioning me about the story and the general question an actor has to answer back. I am blessed that I have become popular because of the audience. Wherever I go, even in Mumbai which is a place where an actor hardly gets noticed by the people roaming around, I have got recognized. People react so much when they see me and that overwhelms me.

How does your hometown welcome you?
They are very proud of me and now they call me ‘Bihar Ki Beti (smiles), which for me is a big achievement. I love it.

What are the challenges that you have faced in the industry?
I have never got anything in my life very easily. I have always struggled since my childhood days to get something. I work with a funda of ‘Der Aaye Durust Aaye; jo milega achcha milega.’ I really follow this principle in life. My life has never been simple and even today it isn’t. Whatever has come in my life has come very late but I believe that whatever and whenever it will come it will be good.

How did you decide to come to Mumbai? Has the journey from Patna to Mumbai been easy for you?
I took a time of one month from my dad to prove myself like any other actor. I struggled a lot and my parents are unaware about it. I used to feed myself with biscuits and go to Mahalakshmi for giving 10-15 auditions per day. I wanted to prove myself to my dad soon because I had limited amount of money with me at that time after coming to Mumbai. I used to save money. Sometimes, I used to just walk rather than taking a bus or a train to save money. Luckily, I got a show within 2 months and I started working.

A big dream of yours which you fulfilled recently?
I recently bought a flat however it is not my dream home. I am content as of now.

Any secret of yours that your fans are unaware of?
Let it be a secret na (laughs). My life is very simple and open. I never keep something as secret but recently I have been called as a ‘Tantrum queen’ and someone having a ‘Diva attitude.’ So, the secret is that I am not a tantrum queen and I never carry a Diva Attitude. That’s my secret and people still think that I am a tantrum queen (laughs).

Are you active on any of the social media?
No, I am not. I am so scared of social networking sites because all my accounts have been hacked but I am looking forward to join some in the coming months if time permits, because fans will feel bad if I won’t reply to them So, I have thought to join some when I will be free for at least 1-2 months. My friends and family also complain about me not keeping in touch with them due to lack of time. So, I will do it for sure when I will be free.

With whom do you bond the best on the sets?
We have a healthy working environment on the sets. They pamper me a lot and everybody is a sweetheart here. I get along well mostly with Rituraj and Smita apart from others on the set. Rituraj gives us lots of energy because being at such an age, he always laughs like a kid.

What kind of rapport do you share with your on-screen daughter Shruti?
Shruti is a sweetheart and a darling kid. She is very naughty and the biggest prankster. We scold her and pamper her too. If anyone scolds her then they regret it later on. She looks very cute and behaves cutely too.

Do you dream for Bollywood?
Who does not? Whoever comes in this industry, does dream for Bollywood. Let’s see; if it’s written in the destiny then it will happen.

So, what kind of role you would like to play in future?
It is not that what I dream about will come my way. Whatever seems challenging and you believe you can do it, is a dream role for you. The role should be challenging and different. Anything with an innovative mind and idea is a dream role for me.

Message for your fans?
Keep appreciating my work which works as a boost for me. I always say that criticism is welcome from your side. I am always open for the questions you want me to ask. I am always there for you all to answer back. My audience and fans are my strength. I am here because of you all . Keep praying for me.