Rupali Ganguly - “Divya Bhatnagar’s death has shaken all of us”

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Actress Rupali Ganguly admits she’s additionally worried about her family’s safety after the shocking death of television actor Divya Bhatnagar. Says Rupali, “I didn’t know her personally. But, my heart broke to hear of her demise. It shocked and disturbed me to know she was only 34. Age class and nationality seems no bar for Corona Mata….yes I address the virus as a God. She’s taking lives because we’ve been plundering looting Planet Earth and violating Mother Earth. 2020 was  payback time.”

However, there are those who are falling sick and dying. This worries Rupali. “Our team takes every precaution. Once we start shooting, we forget about Covid and just become one family.”

The dread sets in after the shooting. Says Rupali, “When I drive home, I think about my mother-in-law, husband and son. Earlier, I used to stay away from my son after reaching home. But I confess, I sneak a hug when I get home after work. Maa hoon! I miss his feel, his smell. So far, God has been very kind to all of us. I hope we continue to shot the serial without any mishap. The producers are following every guideline. And we are not taking any risks.”

The popularity of Anupamaa now threatens to hit the roof. Rupali is happy. “My character was first called regressive. Now, she’s called progressive. We have come a long way in time. Everyone is hooked to the serial. My father (the late great filmmaker Anil Ganguly) would have been so proud of me. Shall I be honest with you? I can feel him guiding me especially in emotional scenes. I remember I had once shown him my breakdown scene in another serial. I was proud of it. He dismissed it as bakwas.  ‘You are crying. But no one will cry with you. When you cry on screen, you don’t cry for yourself. The audience has to cry with you.’ His words still ring in my ear each time I do get emotional for Anupamaa. My father’s approval mattered to me. I didn’t care about what anyone else thought of me. Today my husband and my son has to like my work. All the rest is bonus.”

Now, apparently Rupali’s character will undergo a makeover? “What makeover! No no. Anupamaa was all decked up for her daughter’s birthday. After that, she’s back to her sootee (cotton) sarees. I love cotton sarees. Anupamaa’s sartorial tastes are very  similar to  mine.”