Anita Hassanandani is back

Anita Hassanandani is gearing up to make a comeback to daily soaps with Ye Hai Mohabbatein after a gap of almost two years. This will also be her first show post marriage. Interestingly, Ekta Kapoor who had launched her with Kabhi Souten Kabhi Saheli, Kkavyanjali etc, is again instrumental in bringing her back to dailies. Says Anita, “Ekta has been discussing this show for a while and had me in her mind for the character of Shagun. The character is different from what I have done before.” Ask her what kept her away from dailies after the silent comedy Gutar Gu and she says it was the time factor. “Dailies are time-consuming and I have been doing regional films. However, I did a few cameos and one-off episodes in different shows. In Ye Hai Mohabbatein, I play the parallel lead, so I don’t need to shoot for 30 days a month,” she explains.

Talking about her role, Anita says that Shagun is a small-town girl who thinks she deserves certain things in life and goes after them. In the process she gives up her family that includes her husband and daughter. “The way I look at it is there are reasons for it and she is justified. Yes, she is selfish but she does realise her mistake. And who doesn’t make mistakes?” she questions.

Ask her if life has changed after marriage and she says the feeling is yet to sink in. “Life has been hectic from the time I got married. I finished shooting for a Punjabi film. But it’s a good feeling, making a fresh start to a new life,” says the actress, who will soon be seen in a different avatar in the sequel to Ragini MMS. She sports a Gothic look and a lot of tattoos. “People will be shocked to see me in that role,” grins Anita.

Her husband (Rohit Reddy), she says, is extremely supportive of her work. “Sometimes after shooting for 12 hours I  want to leave the sets, but he tells me to take it easy, wrap up the shoot,” she says proudly. However, she makes it a point to keep her weekends free to spend time with her hubby.