Currently Apara is on a six-week tour of the USA and playing role of Meera in the comedy play “Ja..Taari Saathe Kitta”. I had had an opportunity to spend a few minutes with her while she was relaxing on back stage before the play started. I thank Mustafa Ajmeri and Neela Pandya for arranging the interview.]
Q: To start my interview, I want to ask you what is the meaning of your name “Apara”? It is a very unique name and have not heard it before.
A: Apara means goddess Saraswati and was named by my grand mother.
Q: You were born in Bhavnagar and how long did you live there before moving to Mumbai?
A: I lived in Bhavnagar for total of 6 years – first 3 years and then another three years later on.
Q: You have gotten training in classical music and also in Kathak dance in the early years, so why didn’t you choose these two arts as your career?
A: These were my hobbies until I was 15, but acting came naturally to me since my mother, grandmother, as well as my mother-in-law are actors.
Q: How did you start your career in television?
A: When I was 15, I got an offer from Mumbai Doordarshan (TV) to anchor a children show called “Santa Kukdi” (Hide & Seek) and I took that offer. Since I studied in English medium, I had to learn Gujarati and I had to write my own script. It became very successful show.
Q: When did you start stage acting? Did you start with Gujarati plays or Hindi plays?
A: I first started acting in Hindi tv serial in 1981 and then from 1985 I started acting in Gujarati plays.
Q: What was the first major role you had played?
A: My first major Television role was in Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (TV series) in which I played Paro.
Q: What other tv serials have you acted in?
A: After the success of Ek Mahal I played the role of Savita Virani inKyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Then I appeared in a negative role as Kukki Kaaki in Saat Phere and other soaps like Parrivaar, Dhak Dhak etc.
Q: You got married in 1980 and started acting on stage after marriage. Did you ever think of changing your surname?
A: No – I never thought of changing my surname since I was already popular has Apara Mehta.
Q: You have one daughter Khushali. Does she like acting because both her parents are successful and famous actors.
A: Khushali is playing a small role in this “Jaa taari…” so she knows acting. But her main passion is writing short stories and poems.
Q: That’s wonderful.
Q: You said that Gujarati is like second language to you; but you speak very fluently.
A: I learned the dialects. I can speak Mumbai, Amdawai, Bhvnagri and Surti dialects too. Besides English, I am fluent in Hindi, Urdu and Marathi as well. I have acted in some Marathi plays too.

  
Q: have you still continued you hobbies in music and dance? Do you do riyal or dance?
A: No – I don’t have much time. I work 16-20 hours a day. I like cooking very much but don’t get time. In this play I dance a little though.
Q: So what do you do for relaxation?
A: I like to watch English sitcoms like Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond and Two-and-half men etc.
Q: Do you watch any other types of shows?
A: Yes, I like Law and Order, CSI, Criminal Minds etc too.
Q: The show is going to start in a few minutes and I see that you are so relaxed and chatting with me. Don’t you get tense before the show and want to be left alone so you can prepare yourself for the role you are about to play?
A: A lot of actors behave that way; but I do not believe in “method” acting. I am a switch-on, switch-off type actor. My 6th sense is always on so when I go on stage I act that is closest to the character. It comes naturally to me. May be my years of experience helps.
Q: Tell us about the plot of the play and how you fit into your role.
A: It is a comedy with social ending and has very sleek moral. I am 21st century woman, who is very educated and independent and still she has Indian values. My role fits in perfectly, because in real life I am like her.
Q: What is the message this play is conveying?
A: That Indians living in the USA may have different lifestyle, but in their hearts they still have Indian values.
Q: Can you tell us about Mr. Firoz Bhagat, who is the actor, director and producer of this play?
A: Firoz is a senior actor and I have worked with him for last 10 years. We do 250 shows in a calendar together year and are called golden pair. We have acted together in various male-female roles, except brother-sister role, which may happen one day.
Q: What serial are you playing in at present?
A: As Damini Devi Diwan in Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo and I like it a lot.
Q: Tell us more about that role.
A: It fits to my personal life. I am a happy-go-lucky, fun-loving woman who love to live life and positive thinking.
Q: What is your message to Indian women?
A: Women are multi-tasked –they in general play in real life as mother, daughter, wife etc. Always be strong. Never give up your work and never give up your identity.
Q: Since you have played so many negative roles, how do people react when the some one from audience meets you in person?
A: They receive me nicely. They tell me that I look much younger in person and friendly.
Q: Is this your first trip to USA?
A: I have been here before. This is my 6th trip to USA.
Q: How long you are going to be in the USA this time?
A: We are here for six weeks and will do 40 shows.
Q: Do you enjoy it?
A: We are very excited the way all Gujaratis receive us, encourage us and like our play. It is a nice feeling.