Pink hair now, and purple next time

Sarika is just not in a mood to give an interview. “ Kya karoge? Phir wohi same baatein poochoge, mein wahi jawab doongi,” she says, and smiles charmingly to take away the tang of her statement. “And I am in a good mood now. Media interviewers usually end up spoiling it,” she adds. As one furiously thinks of a way to get around that argument, her handset rings. Her car’s ready and waiting. The lady gets up to leave in one fluid, graceful movement. One can’t help but notice how well age has settled onto her features. And there’s one more thing She’s coloured her hair shocking pink. That’s it! Begin by asking her the obvious — why did she colour her hair pink? A rebel act? Sarika turns around, and says, “It’s way too cool to be a rebel act. Actually, I wanted to colour my hair purple. But I couldn’t find the right shade. Next time, I’m definitely going for purple.” She begins to walk again, but something catches her attention in that crowded room. It’s a little girl, standing in front of a huge mirror, prancing away. “Look, she’s so oblivious to the crowd... such innocence. Why do we grow up?” she asks. She stops to talk to the little girl. That means more questions. What has she been up to from Parzania till now? “Nothing really. A couple of offbeat films, Bheja Fry that’s all. Post Parzania, everyone kept approaching me with similar roles, and I was not ready to be typecast again,” she says. Again? “Well, I had to work hard to shrug off my ’80s image... thanks to all the vampish roles I did,” says Sarika, adding, “Anyway, this is the time-off I’ve given myself. I take care of myself, my figure... something that I haven’t done since so many years. I go to the gym, keep doing little odd things about the house — the key to looking youthful and zesty is to keep oneself active. Then there’s my costume design work and script reading. Not being seen in films doesn’t mean I don’t do anything. I lead a very active life, thank you,” says Sarika. And does she ever think of her past? “I left it right there, in the past,” says she, climbing into the waiting car. “And anyway, this question falls into the ‘same baatein ’ category. I have vowed never to answer them,” she smiles again.