Exclusive: Bhagya Dile Tu Mala's Nivedita Saraf on her journey from Bollywood to Marathi industry, receiving support from husband Ashok Saraf and much more

Renowned actress Nivedita Saraf recently joined ETimes for our Instagram LIVE session and spoke about many things. Nivedita opened up about her journey from Bollywood to the Marathi industry, getting support from Ashok Saraf, her chef son Aniket Saraf and how she has managed to stay away from controversies despite being a legendary Marathi actress. Take a look

Interview by Vaishnavi Gavankar

Yes, it has been a long journey. I have been into Bollywood since I did my film Apnapan in 1977. I was so young at that time. Later, I shifted to the Marathi industry. But I think it's the blessing of my mother. I took a break for 14 years and later, made a comeback. I did not have an idea that people would love my work even after 14 years of break. People have shown so much love for my projects whether it's a play or a TV serial, all my projects have been superhits. It's just the blessings of god.

I love playing Ratnamala on-screen. It's a beautiful character. Also, a character always stands up because of the efforts of all my team members. A character or a TV show only works better when the entire cast and crew work hard and their chemistry shows on-screen.

I have not done it purposely. It has happened. I think people know how I am and what I have been doing for the past many years. I have not done anything to specifically maintain my image or my husband Ashok Saraf's image. It's just that we only focused on our work and projects than focusing on other things.

Yes. He is a pillar of my strength. I have his support and everything is possible because of him. Ashok is my best friend first, and then he is my husband. Very few know that he is a really introvert but he loves pulling my legs as he does with others. Nothing would have been possible without the support and love of Ashok Saraf.

I think despite being a superstar, he has always been grounded and preferred staying close to the roots and that's what he tells me. I learn a lot from him. He always says that we should never let our seniority suppress newcomers. Ashok first comforts his co-actors and then he starts working. He also says that comedians should do comedy seriously. I admire him a lot because of his disciplined nature. He is always on time, takes medicines on time, and does all his activities on time. There is an autobiography of him 'Bahurupi' and I don't call it a typical biography but it has his memories and experiences and people should get inspired by his life.

Aniket is my strength. We never asked him to join the film industry. We only told him to do what he is comfortable doing. He has a great sense of humour, he is a poet, he is a writer and he is a chef. He cooks incredible food. I think he has his own journey. He had everything here but still, he decided to move to another country and made his identity there. We are really proud of him. (PC - Instagram)