Actor Arina Dey , Aarti of show ' Muskaan ', had a must-do list ready when she landed in Varanasi, for the promotion of the show ' Radha Krishna '. "I am a die-hard sari fan, so I want to buy the exquisite Banarasi saris, about which I have heard so much from almost everyone. Even my mother, when she got to know that I am in Banaras, wanted one of those silk saris. Banarasi paan and lassi is also what I intend to try before I leave the city," she said, adding, "Then of course darshan at Kashi Vishwanath temple is something I wish to do. As it is a brief visit, I am trying to figure out how to make the most of it."Arina enjoying lassi at a shop in Lanka (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)The actor, who worked in Bengali TV shows and theatre before doing making her debut in a Hindi teleshow 'Muskaan', says she never planned on being an actor. "As a child I use to participate in school play, as every kid does. Apart from that, I am a very passionate about books. Whichever book I used to read, I would become one of the characters and at times even enacted that character in front of the mirror. These were early signs of my love for acting. When I went into college, I joined a theatre group, without telling my parents as my father wanted me to concentrate on my studies, and become an Engineer, since he is an Engineer himself. But Maths was certainly not my subject and so I did BA (honours). At that time I also told my parents that I am keen on acting but they were reluctant about my taking up acting, especially my father. When he heard that I wanted to move to Mumbai, he was adamant that I shouldn’t go. Since I am the only child and quite pampered, so eventually they gave in to my demands. Now they are proud parents and every time my show is telecast they watch me on TV," she says with a smile.Arina clicks a selfie with fans (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)Arina adds, "Since I am from a theatre background, that has not only taught me the nuances of acting, it has also helped me to adapt to all kind of roles. I was offered a mother’s role in Muskaan at the very onset of my career, but I never hesitated to take it up. I am not choosy about roles as I am here to act. In fact, I am happy that I agreed to play a mother as I got the chance to enact various shades of the characters which is really fulfilling for any actor. Moreover, my bonding with Sonakshi Save, who plays 'Muskaan' is just phenomenal. Though I am her reel-mother, she calls me mumma and even treats me like one. To be called a mother at such a young age is a great feeling for me."Although most TV actors aspire to act in films, Arina is not one of those. "I love doing television so I am content with what I am doing right now. I am not harbouring any Bollywood aspirations. I watch a lot of films and I am a huge fan of Amitabh Bachchan sir," she says.

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