Vidushi Mehra trying to carve niche with small roles

She started off her career in Bollywood by playing supportive characters in movies like “Aisha”, “No One Killed Jessica” and “Saat Khoon Maaf”, but actress Vidushi Mehra is not complaining. She says her priority is to play small but important roles rather than “big” yet insignificant parts.”Every character in a movie – be it a supporting actor or someone who has a small screen space – is very important if that character helps in taking the narrative forward. And such roles are very important to me because they have substance,” Vidushi, who is married to designer Nikhil Mehra of designer duo Shantanu-Nikhil, told IANS.

“In Bollywood, the pressure is always on a lead actress because she is battling against age and hence has to cash on maximum hits and fame with a limited career span of six-seven years. So they don’t have a shelf-life, unlike Bollywood actors,” she said.

For the 29-year-old, veteran actor Anupam Kher is a perfect example of a “complete package actor”.

“Anupam Kher has been in the industry for decades now and he has enjoyed stardom and success in a beautiful manner without playing lead roles. He plays a pivotal role in a movie and is recognised for that. I do aim to be someone like him,” she said.

For many, Vidushi’s identity was being the better half of Nikhil. So was the decision to foray into films a way to create a niche for herself?

“I never felt a need to prove a point to anyone,” said Vidushi, adding that she has equal share in her life partner’s success on the fashion front. “I have seen him (Nikhil) growing, I would like to take equal responsibility and credit for what he is today and can proudly say he is there because of me.

“He takes a lot of pride in me and enjoys me being in the limelight. He is very secure and supportive. He is someone who reads my scripts and suggests to me to take it or not. So, there is no competition… there are two different individuals doing their own things,” she added.

Being a mother of three-and-a-half-year-old twins, how does she manage to maintain her personal and professional life?

“I have a support structure at home. And at the same time, both my kids are too excited whenever they see me on screen. In a way it is also a lot of encouragement for them. When kids see their parents doing well, they get a sense of self-belief,” she said.

Vidushi is basically from theatre and candidly says it can’t provide sustainable livelihood and so artists moving to Bollywood is the next logical step.

The Delhi-based actress’ tryst with theatre began when she was just four years old and later actively participated in school and college plays.

An investment banker by profession, she decided to do theatre after spending nine years juggling with numbers.

“I went to theatre again at the end of 2008 because that’s where my heart was. I did so because all these years I had fulfilled all wishes of my parents as a daughter,” she said.

Currently she is busy reading scripts. What is her criteria for choosing a script?

“There are no such rules and regulations. I want to move ahead, stay humble, continue to work in the industry. I am just a newcomer and don’t have too much of deliberations. But, yes, a good story, director and cast are a must,” she said.

“I am here for a long run, to do a variety of roles and just not get tapped in any stereotype. I am comfortable in my own skin and I don’t feel competition,” she added.