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Praveena power
By Esther Williams
Shweta Tiwari has earned herself an impressive following in Sri Lanka through her role of a sacrificing woman in the popular television series Praveena. Her fans had a rare opportunity to see her live in Colombo recently where she once again won them over with her winning smile and radiant personality.
“I love you Sri Lanka,” she said, obviously touched by the appreciation she received from the crowds en-route to Colombo from the airport and later at the Sugathadasa indoor stadium where she presented a brief dance item at the ‘Praveena – live in concert’ show.

Having been involved with the show for over five years with 1000 episodes behind her, and no end in sight, Praveena has had large audiences glued to their TV during prime time. Shweta epitomises the traditional selfless woman in the family drama.

Asked how she compared with Praveena in real life, “It is a fictional character and although I am a good wife and mother and devoted to my family, I cannot make the kind of sacrifices she makes,” Shweta explained.

“I do everything like her. However I am more naughty and love to laugh unlike the serious Praveena,” Swetha says pointing out that she as a person cannot get the same love that Praveena gets from an audience.

The role that has made her a household name has also brought with it certain restrictions. Driving home one morning after shooting for a music video that required her to wear a cat suit, Shweta stopped at the traffic lights to see the driver of the next car animatedly gesturing to her. She pulled down her window only to be roundly scolded by the woman for her attire. “My daughter has started wearing a saree because of you and if you dress like this she will also do so,” the woman had said. Shweta says after that incident she dresses traditionally every time she is in public.

Of her daily routine, Shweta says that she sometimes works up to 18 gruelling hours a day. However she is not treated like a star a home. “My daughter Palak tiptoes around me when I sleep and it is she who pampers me rather than the other way around.” As for her husband Raja Choudhary he has been cooperative and supportive.

The actress apparently always wanted to be a dancer but her plans were changed overnight when she was noticed by Ekta Kapoor and offered the role.
The big star of the small screen affirmed that she loved playing Praveena with the values of sincerity and loyalty that the powerful character represents. She promised viewers that the serial that brought her fame would meet all their expectations and more in future episodes.

However, Praveena – Live in Concert was a big disappointment to local audiences. Maljini from Gampaha was vocal about it. “I bought four Rs. 3000 tickets for my family. We came to see Praveena sing and dance but all we got to see were local singers whom we can see at any time we want.”

Shweta appeared on stage initially for a brief five minutes and later performed a four-minute dance routine during the three-hour show, explaining that she hadn’t rehearsed as the choreographer had lost the music CD.

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