It’s hard to laugh when the joke is on you. But not everyone takes a joke in the high spirit and enjoys the pin made. Actress Rupal Patel is one such bindaas woman. Her character Kokilaben from ‘Saath Nibhaana Saathiya’ has been a popular subject for memes and parodies over the years. Her attire, her dialogues, everything has made it to the memes. However, rather than feeling offended about it, she has taken it in her stride. She even got in touch with Yashraj Mukhate, the brain behind the internet’s current favourite Gopi Bahu mashup.
Yes, there’s a mashup made for her and trust us it’s hilarious. Watch:
Talking about it, Rupal, who is currently seen in ‘Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke’, said to BT, “Kokila was the role of a lifetime, and I have the deepest gratitude for the show’s makers and the channel. There is a moment, an incident or a character in an artiste’s life, that becomes a milestone. Kokila is that for me. It’s such a lively character. People appreciate it for various things — her voice, authority, look and the way she balanced her two bahus, who were as different as chalk and cheese. She is your ideal saas. The show and the characters’ simplicity is what connected with viewers.”,
The actress says that she never felt offended with memes or mashups on her character. She says that comedy is an emotion and one should know to laugh at themselves. She says, “A viewer expresses his appreciation in different ways. It could be a funny response, too. Why should I feel offended? That’s one of the ways to express your love, too. I always go by the intent behind the response. Aur mujhe woh kabhi galat nahi laga. The character has made a mark on people’s minds and hence, they remember it to date. In fact, a lady would impersonate me on a video-sharing social networking service. I found it very funny. I don’t mind that at all, as I know intent is not to harm or offend anyone. Neeyat par sab kuchh nirbhar karta hai. Only prominent characters or personalities become a subject of memes or caricatures, and I am proud that Kokilaben is one of them. A true artiste should not have any ego. Main mitti ka patra hoon jo kisi bhi character mein fit ho jaaye. Ek artiste tab tak zinda hai jab tak uske kaan mein taaliyon ki goonj padhti rahegi. Phir chahe woh comedy ke zariye ho ya kisi aur emotion ke.”