Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is a big leap for me, says Suzanne Bernert

German actress Suzanne Bernert has been entertaining the Indian TV audience for over a decade now. From acting in Kasauti Zindagii Kay to playing an antagonist in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat and now a new member in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, it has been quite a journey for the actress who has settled in India.
Suzanne, who is now a part of the big Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai family is elated to be a part of the show. She shared details of her character and the leap that happened from Ashoka to this show.
In an exclusive conversation with TimesOfIndia.com she also shared how TV is still the same after so many years and that she is well acquainted with the kind of expressions she has to give on screen and the way they dress up.
Q: How has the shoot life been going so far?
Suzanne: Enjoyable! It is quite different from what I do in Ashoka, it is basically a leap from a historical show to a family drama. It is time travel for me. (Laughs)
Q: How has the cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai been treating you?
Suzanne: The thing is I have already worked with two of the actors before in other TV shows. I have worked with Nidhi Uttam and Sanjeev Seth. Sanjeev played my husband in one of the shows. There is a nice atmosphere here. Things have been running smoothly and I am moving along with the rest of them, everyone has been giving in their 100 per cent.
Q: What is your role in the show?
Suzanne: I play a woman who couldn't get married. My marriage was fixed to a man who eloped overnight leaving me pregnant. I have a daughter and since I couldn't have a white wedding for myself, I want it to happen for her. The rest of my family wants my daughter to have an Indian wedding. There is a ritual clash on the show. The message of the show is that even foreigners are just like Indians and have same feelings for their families as Indians. What is shown in Hollywood that people keep drinking from morning to night is not true, it is exaggerated. (Laughs)
Q: Did you follow the show before entering it?
Suzanne: No, because of being so busy with Ashoka and staying on the sets for maximum hours of the day, I missed watching TV or any other thing. I have been devoting all my time to shoots. This show came to me like a bomb, they got me. I was to go to Jakarta (Indonesia) for the promotion of Ashok and when I returned from there, I got associated with this show. They have given me a very nice entry. My character is still unsettled in the show, but eventually will be fine.
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Q: Apart from this, do you have any other shows in hand?
Suzanne: No. It would be difficult for me to take up anything now since I am simultaneously doing two shows. (Laughs). I'm glad that my Ashok fans are coming to Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and vice versa.
Q: You have also acted in films, what has been better films or TV?
Suzanne: Can't say that. I have always chosen a character over medium. In movies you have more time to go into characters while TV is too fast paced.
Q: Do you plan a long term career on Indian TV screen?
Suzanne: I have been in the industry for 10 long years and I don't see any end happening. I just switch between genres.
Q: Have you ever thought of trying your luck in Hollywood?
Suzanne: No! If it comes to me it will come, like the way Indian TV happened.
Q: You are also a trained ballet dancer. Have you ever thought of contesting on any dance reality shows?
Suzanne: I have participated in a celebrity dance show like Jhalak Dikhla Jaa on Marathi channel and reached up to the semi finals. I would love to do contest in a dance reality show on Hindi TV as well.
Q: Are you acquainted with the saas bahu stuff that we see on TV?
Suzanne: TV hasn't changed ever since my days in Kasauti Zindagii Kay. I am very used to the expression and way of dressing, though I like to give it a twist of my own.
Q: Will your character on the show don ethnics or western clothes?
Suzanne: My character goes through a slow transformation of wearing western clothes to Indian clothes later on. But, I will wear a gown or something for the on screen daughter's wedding.
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