Lataa Saberwal might have been identified as just another TV actress till the other day, but now she has expanded her horizons successfully with an interesting role in Rajshri’s Vivah. She has held her own in the film in spite of the presence of young superstars Shahid Kapur and Amrita Rao. So, how has been the journey from serials like Jannat, Awaz Dil Se Dil Tak and Yeh Duniya Hai Rangeen to Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki with the Rajshris which ultimately got her the part?

“Sooraj Barjatya is very observant. He just saw one shot of mine in the serial where I play Bhavna. He immediately called me up to audition for Vivah,” she informs. And she is very proud of the role which she doesn’t consider to be just any other character role. “More than being my devar, Shahid Kapur was a friend. We shared many memorable moments. I had an excellent bonding with Shahid. Even Sameer [Soni] who played my husband was great to work with. All in all, I can just say that it was a complete role,” she says, glowing with new-found confidence.

To add icing on the cake, the entire unit vibed well with her and that included Shahid and Amrita. “Yeah, definitely we all had a great time. The bonding was so strong that a spotboy of our unit met me after months on a different set and still remembered that I didn’t take sugar in my coffee. It was a great unit to work with. Everyone had a little bit of the goodness of Soorajji in them. As for Shahid and Amrita, they were really very sweet. I enjoyed their companionship totally,” she says with a twinkle in her eye.

Having been associated with the Rajshris for so long has convinced her that Sooraj R. Barjatya is an excellent person. “I was obviously excited as it was my first film. And Rajshri Productions has always been like family. Working under Sooraj, I not only improved as an actor, but also learnt about life. He can be a kind of inspiration for life,” says Lataa excitedly.

She looks back and seems quite satisfied with her journey. “Obviously the journey has been nice; otherwise I wouldn’t have been here. I had to wait and had a hell of a vacuum between projects, which was frustrating. That period of waiting for the opportunity is very difficult to pass. I wouldn’t say I have worked a lot. There’s a lot more that I want to do,” she says.

Now with the experience of meaty projects in both TV and films, what would she prefer? “I started with television so certainly I am quite attached to it. As for films, it obviously is a big medium. In television there’s a lot of pressure and we all are in a hurry to complete the scenes. But in films you get time to work on each and every scene of yours. For me, I enjoyed both equally,” she states. “And as I said, I enjoy both, whatever good opportunity comes my way, I will take that up.”

Moving to a more personal question, Lataa had a very sad broken engagement not very long ago. But she is unfazed by that happening. “Marriage and everything else depends on destiny. Whenever I get the right person I shall surely get married to him,” she says positively. This positive attitude has brought her this far and is likely to do so in the future as well. Way to go, girl!