‘I enjoy partying’

She may be the silent suffering daughter-in-law in Balika Vadhu, but actress Smita Bansal is a far cry from the docile, dominated character she portrays in reel life. A hit television show, recognition when she least expected it and a family that stands by her – Smita seems to have it all. “When I first signed on the project, we didn’t even know the name of the channel on which it would be aired. It was the powerful subject that convinced me to be a part of this show and I knew I’d be in good hands. Now, to be recognised after such a long break feels even more great,” she says with delight.

After a self-imposed five year break that Smita took to devote to her daughter, she thought this was the perfect time to return to what she loves doing best – acting. “Most people think that I am like my character, Sumitra, in real life as well. But I’m just the opposite! I’m a talkative, fun-loving person, who loves to party and travel. And it’s amusing to see the incredulous looks on the faces of people when they see me dancing or wearing western clothes. People also tell me that they don’t expect me to be so petite in real life,” she laughs. “The only similarity between the two happens to be that we both will go to any extent to keep the family together,” says Smita, who’s also a trained classical dancer, something that not many people are aware of.

And what does she do when she isn’t being admonished by her on-screen mum-in-law, Surekha Sikri? “Oh, I shoot for about 15 to 20 days a month and spend the rest of the time with my family. I enjoy being away from the sets as much as I like being on them,” she says and adds, “And Surekhaji is the most amazing human being I’ve ever met.”

source: indiatimes.com