Amongst the ongoing shows that are winning the web series space, Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain Season 2 is clearly our favourite. The show is one of the pioneers in changing the mindset of an average Indian without compromising on the values which are so deeply innate in us.
Kudos to Ekta Kapoor for introducing such a progressive storyline with bona fide characters, played by some of the best actors we have in the TV industry. Ananya (Mona Singh) and Poonam (Gurdeep Kohli) are mature individuals whose lives are interlinked because of Rohit, played by Ronit Roy.
(Read more about the show here)
We caught up with the stars of Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain – Mona and Gurdeep – the real women who make it relatable. They spoke about the show, their characters, how they derive inspiration for playing them and lots more.
Here are a few excerpts from our tête à tête with Gurdeep a.k.a Poonam.
Team MM: Do we see Poonam also having a love interest anytime in the future? Or you think she won’t take that step keeping her daughters and mother-in-law in mind?
Gurdeep: Through Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain, we are aiming to show that divorce can be a healing and your life does not necessarily has to end after it, especially if you are a woman. But it does not mean getting in bed with the first man you see. We are trying to keep the grace and dignity of the character intact. If Poonam ends up getting married in season 3, it will happen with a lot of dignity. It’s not going to be like a payback or revenge.
Team MM: The female characters in the show aren’t cunning plotters who are constantly finding means to put down the other woman. Do you think the regular Indian housewife watching your show will be kind enough to invite her husband’s second wife over for tea?
Gurdeep: We are trying to change the mindset through the show. These things happen and a lot of women don’t even talk about their husband’s affair. Firstly, accepting that your husband is having an affair is a big thing. Secondly, calling the woman home and making her a part of your family is very progressive. Rohit was good to Poonam. He didn’t run away, he was simply in a loveless marriage. So it all depends on how you are in a relationship. If you are hurt in a relationship, then it’s very difficult. But if you have that kind of maturity, you won’t mind doing it (being on good terms with your husband’s second wife).
Team MM: If you had to draw a word of advice from your character, what would you tell the women out there who are struggling to move ahead in life after divorce/separation?
Gurdeep: Like I said, don’t treat divorce as a bad thing. It’s not a taboo. Start treating it as a step towards healing.
Also read about Mona’s refreshing take on her character, Ananya.
Team MM: The character you are playing is stereotypically hated and associated with all sorts of nasty names. The “other woman”, for example. But that isn’t the case with Ananya, the audience likes her. Why do you think that’s the case?
Mona: Because she is very real and relatable. Ananya is a simple, independent woman who is not cunning, scheming or trying to break someone’s marriage. She just happens to fall in love with a married man whose marriage was almost over. Ekta (Kapoor) was very clear that she did not want me to be a vamp because I am playing the “other woman”.
Team MM: We love that the show doesn’t portray women as cunning plotters who are constantly making the other’s life miserable. Do you think a regular woman/housewife watching your show will be progressive to understand it’s not just the woman’s fault?
Mona: Eventually, everyone has to evolve and grow out of a situation like this one, which is not easy. However, blaming the other woman is the easiest thing to do. People should understand that the problem was in the marriage. It’s easy to put the other woman down and say nasty things about her, but we are handling it with a lot of grace and dignity.
Team MM: Is a season 3 in the making?
Mona: I am sure season 3 will be there. The way season 2 ends, it raises a lot of questions and you want to know that happens next. But this is my thinking, I don’t know what Ekta is thinking.
In case you haven’t watched the show yet, we recommend you do it ASAP.