Exclusive! Yeh Meri Family Season 2’s Juhi Parmar: ‘The overall messaging of a project is important to me’

Best known for playing the title character in the 2002 television series Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, actress Juhi Parmar has made her OTT debut with the web series Yeh Meri Family Season 2 on Amazon miniTV. In an exclusive conversation with OTTplay, Juhi said that she has declined several projects in the past just because she felt that the overall messaging of the story was not appropriate for society.

When asked what took her so long to come to OTT, the actress said, “From the time I have started working, it has always been about quality over quantity. If I said yes to one project, I said no to five! Of course, I do not want to name those shows because probably some other actor did that show. But when I said no to something I did it with a lot of conviction because I am very clear in my mind about the kind of shows I do not want to be part of. The digital space is diverse in terms of content and that will really give me the opportunity to showcase the side of me that I did not get a chance to explore as an actress on television.”

Yeh Meri Family has challenged her to play something she never did in a TV serial. “When you are playing a leading lady in a TV show, there is a formula and a structure to such characters, who are mostly positive and extraordinary women. That is why we admire them and aspire to become one. When it comes to web series, especially my new show, the challenge is how one can play a very simple character interestingly. Such a challenge excites me,” Juhi elaborated, adding that she is excited to feel like a newcomer all over again.

“I have been working for many years now, but even then, when I realise that it is my debut on OTT, it makes me feel that I am starting afresh. Perhaps, that is why I have the excitement of a newcomer with a new show,” said Juhi, who won Bigg Boss 5.

Although many actors prefer to work continuously, Juhi said that she was always confident to decline an offer. “I never fear losing visibility as an actress, because even when I was a newcomer and my show was a superhit, I did not sign multiple shows back-to-back. I always had the confidence to say no to a project. And this confidence I had from the beginning and not because of the body of work I have now,” the actress said.

Adding to that, Juhi said, “As a celebrity, I feel socially responsible to my audience. So, whenever I am signing anything, be it a show or a brand that I endorse, I always check the overall message it sends out to the larger audience. Our medium is really influential. As an actor, I do not want to associate myself with any project or brand that has incorrect messaging. I think that’s one of the most important parameters I have for any work that I do.”

Yeh Meri Family also stars Rajesh Kumar and Hetal Gada.