Chahat Khanna: My mother sold her gold earring to get my first phone, I ran a kilometre for it

Chahat Khanna has made her mark with TV shows and films like ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hain’, ‘Qubool Hai’, ‘Thank You’ and ‘Prasthanam’. The actress, who is choosy about her work, says yes to only one or two projects out of ten because now she wants to do quality work. She pays as much attention to her daughter’s parents’ teaser meeting as she does to her work. This is the reason that despite her busy schedule, she has not missed a single PTM of her daughter till date. These days she is in the news for ‘Pati, Patni Aur Kaand’. The actress first talked about phone memories, dancing, acting and writing.

Wearing the uniform gave me goosebumps
In ‘Pati, Patni Aur Kaand’, I am playing the role of a DCP. In real life, I am friends with many policemen. I also interact with politicians and lawyers. To be honest, I got goosebumps after wearing the uniform. I never thought that I would play the role of a cop. When you wear the uniform, you realize what all things there are to do in this role. I am also doing action in the series, which includes shootouts and encounters. I had learned martial arts. At that time, I did not think that it would prove beneficial for my career, but it was needed in this as well.

I choose only one or two projects out of ten

You must have seen me very rarely on screen. I reject more offers than I accept. I get angry if the same role is offered again and again. That is why I choose only one or two projects out of ten. Initially, I wanted to do everything but for the last decade I have been focusing on quality work. Many times after release, the work does not shine or does not get fame. However, as an artist you are satisfied that you have done a good job. Whether it becomes a hit or not is the fate of the project.

Yes, it is true that people had forbidden me from posting pictures of my children on social media. On such matters, I remember the advice given by my mother. It is true that listen to everyone and do your own thing. I have been following that. However, sometimes I forget but then I remember my mother’s words. A mother is a mother. She feels that I have struggled a lot in life but I don’t believe so, I feel that we have to struggle further and keep struggling. My career started early. Because of this, whatever people see and learn at the age of 50, I had done it at the age of 30 itself.

Lucknowi Biryani is my favourite

I came to the city in 2019 for the shooting of ‘Prasthanam’. After that, I have also come to Ayodhya for darshan. Now I keep coming here. I like Lucknow’s attire very much, especially chicken kurtas. Talking about food, biryani is my favorite. I did not find much difference between Mumbai and Lucknow in terms of shooting. The people here are down to earth. I remember an incident from a shooting. We were shooting an encounter sequence in a village, where the real police had come. Then our weapons were checked because there were many people in police getup on the set.

Mother sold her earrings to buy a phone

I started my career as a dance teacher at the age of 14. I used to take dance classes for kids. My first salary was Rs 1500. After that, when I did a chocolate ad for the first time, I got Rs 2500 a day. My schedule was for two days and then I directly got a cheque of Rs 5000. With that, I bought my first phone. My mother sold her gold earring for it. I still have that phone. Once I left that phone in the bus, for which I ran a kilometer. Today, seeing myself at this position, I feel that hard work pays off.

I was fond of writing since childhood

I have been away from the TV industry for a long time. It does not matter to me whether I am working for TV, films or OTT. If I get satisfaction from the work, then I am ready to perform on stage as well. These days I am also doing theater and I also wish to direct plays in the future. Before being an actor, I was a writer. I have been fond of writing since childhood. I have written many scripts but have not directed anything yet. Soon I will bring something new in front of the people.

I have not missed a single PTM of my daughter till date

Actress Chahat Khanna says that when you become a mother in real life, people start approaching you for the role of a mother. I also got many such offers and I said yes to some of them. For me, shooting is as important as the parent-teacher meeting of the children. I have not missed a single PTM of my daughter till date. Many times the parents of other children do not reach the meeting but I reach. For me, her football matches, tournaments, everything is important.