Mummy ko sab pataa hai: Vandana Pathak with her kids Yash and Radhika
The sudden exit of the Zee show Hum Paanch may have taken the cast by surprise. But for Vandana Pathak (Meenakshi of Hum Paanch) it is proving to be a blessing in disguise.
"We were all extremely upset when we were told about it. It was most unexpected. Everyone would tell us the weekend time slot was not happening " she says. "On the last day of the shoot, there was no farewell or party; we were all so taken aback.
We just completed out shot and went home. We didn't feel like doing anything that day. I miss the co-actors and the entire unit. But now that we have stopped shooting, it has suddenly given me lots of time on hand; and the timing could not be more perfect than my children's exams!"
Busy teaching
So Pathak is studying all over again with her son Yash, who is a fourth standard student at Jankidevi School, Andheri, and her daughter Radhika who is in KG. "It is Yash who needs me more. Otherwise he would always tell me that I am not around at home.
And now I am there all the time for him. So I am making the most of my break from the acting scenario by helping him with his exams. "
On her acting front, Pathak is slated to enter the Star Plus weekend show Baa Bahoo aur Baby in the coming months.
"It is a familiar unit as it is the same team (Jamnadas 'JD' Majethia and Aatish Kapadia) with whom I have worked in Instant Khichdi before. They are working on the character. Besides, Instant Khichdi is also slated to be back later in the year."
New play
Vandana will also feature in a new Gujarati play, to be produced by Feroz Bhagat. "The title has not been ascertained yet. It has been written by Pravin Solanki and has Tiku Talsania in the cast.
At the moment everything just suits me fine. I am chilling out at home till the play's rehearsals begin," says Vandana who is married to writer Neraj Pathak, who is penning Anil Sharma's film Apne starring Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol together.
Hubby Neraj has also written and directed Gumnam, with Dino Morea, Mahima Chaudhary and Suman Ranganathan, and written the screenplay for the films Pardes and Deewangi.