Cute and bubbly Umang Jain has become a household name, thanks to the number of daily soaps she starred in as the main lead. After leaving her mark in Maharakshak Devi and Ek Tha Chander Ek Thi Sudha, Umang will now be seen in a new avatar as Tara in the long-running show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.
About your character
I play Tara in the show. She is a hockey player, who is slightly rough on the edges as she has been raised in a family of men but she is a soft and sweet person inside. She always stands up for what is right.
Do you relate to Tara?
Tara appears a bit rough initially. Unlike Tara, who hits Naksh in the first scene, I don’t go around hitting people. But I relate to Tara’s core -- she is bubbly and sweet. I am not trying to boast but I am like that.
Will there be love between Tara and Naksh (played by Rohan Mehra)?
Yes, I am paired with him. As a person Rohan is helpful and caring and made me feel very comfortable during initial days of shoot.
Any strategies to make your presence felt in this long-running show with so many characters?
The new character was given an edge by being shot in Hong Kong with a lot of extravaganza. I have been playing solo leads in my previous shows but coming in this show was great because people love it. I was very positive of the fact that Tara’s role will be accepted by the audiences.
What about your appearance on the show?
I always make it a point to ensure that my appearance stands out from the rest. During Maharakshak Devi, I had a warrior look. And I had a 1960’s look for Sudha’s role in Ek Tha Chander Ek Thi Sudha. For Tara, my look is a fusion -- I am seen wearing Patialas, short kurtis and a denim jacket.
Cadbury ads.
It is very rare when an ad leaves an impression on you... I have done 170 plus commercials but people still remember me as the Cadbury girl. Some magic happened and it worked well.
What is your dream role?
I am a big fan of Rajshri Films and would love to work with them. It will be a dream to work with Sooraj Barjatya because I believe in the simplicity of characters that he portrays.