I can play a mother, sister, bhabhi or even a man if need be: Ritu Shivpuri

04/07/2015

Following in the footsteps of her parents, actors Om Shivpuri and Sudha Shivpuri, Ritu Shivpuri jumped into Bollywood at the age of 17 and caught our eye in films like Aar Ya Paar and Aankhen. But after the Karisma Kapoor starrer, Shakthi: The Power, in 2002 she disappeared from the screen. The 13-year vanvas, which she took to focus on her twins, eight-year-olds Rohail and Samara, and husband Hari Venkat who at 36 was diagnosed with a tumor in his spine, will end soon. Ritu will make a comeback with the Puneet Issar's directorial, He-Man.
"I'm playing the protagonist's bhabhi. I can't reveal much but it's a great script which makes me believe it's the perfect film to return with. I want to do roles that make a difference and if I'm one of the central characters, I am happy doing it," says Ritu, who will wrap up her portions in one schedule.
After Aankhen, she found herself cast in the 'sexy' mould with comparisons being drawn to Parveen Babi and Zeenat Aman. "But I never looked into the mirror and thought I was hot, I'm not that vain," she laughs. "I can play a mother, sister, bhabhi or even a man if need be!" She was earlier offered a negative role in a big banner film but later the makers felt that she looked too young for that role. "I don't want to be an accessory in a film but if a friend requested, I might do even that," she laughs.
Prod her on the tough times with an ailing husband and two young kids and she retorts, "I don't want to gain sympathy by appearing as a martyr. I married my best friend, we share everything. Those six years were bad but I'm a fighter and he's a cool guy. We got the tumour removed a couple of years ago."
Ritu recently lost her mother, Sudha Shivpuri, popularly known as Baa after playing the great grandmother in Ekta Kapoor's long-running TV show, Kyunki...Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. She chokes up saying, "My mother was my backbone.Whoever has worked with her will tell you she had only love and happiness to give. She would speak fondly of her co-stars from Kyunki, like Smriti (Irani), Apara (Mehta), Shilpa (Saklani) and Kamalika (Guha)."
Meanwhile, her brother, Vineet, who was earlier assisting filmmaker Vipul Shah, will soon be directing his own film. "He is a brilliant boy and a wonderful brother," she gushes. "I hope things work out for him and me. I'm not one of those who will sit on the actor's lap or dance around him to get work. I rely on my talent."

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