Ayesha Singh, who made a place in people’s hearts with the TV show Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Mein, is currently seen in the role of a responsible daughter, a fighting girl and an ambitious chef in the new serial Mannat – Har Khushi Paane Ki.
What is the definition of a strong woman for you? Or have you ever felt inferior because of being a girl? I believe that whatever others think, we should not consider ourselves weak. If I accept that I am weak, then I am weak. We should have this mindset that we are not weak or helpless. We are strong individuals.
This fight starts from within you. If a girl is struggling with some problem, then we should never say that I am weak, I can only do this! No, I may be stupid, I may be lazy, I may be so and so but I am not weak. I believe that every girl should have this confidence in herself. Most of the famous chefs are men. You are playing the role of a chef in the show. What is your opinion about this?
According to me, this is because earlier girls did not go out of the house. They used to take care of the house. Earlier also, the cooks used to be chefs or confectioners. Now their new version has come in the form of chefs. Since earlier gender roles were defined that earning was the job of men, that is why it is like this. Now things are changing. Of course equality has not yet come, but thinking is changing.
Change is yet to come in small cities and towns, but as the country changes and job opportunities increase in the whole country, these circumstances will change. Your show is the story of a working girl, but mostly mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dramas or typical love stories dominate TV.
What do you think is the reason for this? I think everything has a phase. Like, there was a time when there was a phase of sitcoms like Dekh Bhai Dekh on TV. Then, the era of Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi came. After that, realistic stories with a message like Balika Vadhu also came, so the makers have to fulfill the demand of the audience. The power is in the hands of the audience to decide what they want to watch, the rest are just fulfilling it.
For example, even as a chef, I will cook only the food that people order. Otherwise, even if we make different kinds of shows and no one watches them, what will be the benefit? It is not that people do not take risks. Good shows have also come but they did not work. Now I do not know the reason but according to me, whatever the demand is, that thing will be given.
