Not easy being a soap star...
Finally, it's time for her shot. There are finishing touches being made, and a little time to prepare before the director yells 'Action!'
Sampada takes her time, safe in the knowledge that there's a long wait after what may be a quick first shot. She tells us about the importance of networking, adding that it can be done even without the rigorous partying some stars depend on.
She loves partying herself, but mentions hazards like dark circles the next morning. "My make-up man takes care of all this," she says. "I do it because it's work. I avoid partying late because I don't want to mess with my profession." She takes other precautions too, such as avoiding dinner and dessert, drinking lots of water, and eating a lot of fruit. "I am a foodie though," she adds, "So I rarely deprive myself."
Before we leave, we mention the love-hate relationship stars seem to have with the media. Sampada has a surprising comment to make: "When it comes to stories about stars in tabloids, people think such things cannot happen; they assume the media is making it up. However, we have responsible journalism in India. In such a scenario, 60-75 per cent of the stories carried are true."
With that, it's camera time. It could be the first day's shoot for a new episode. Or the 55th day, for that matter. Like most of us, Sampada Vaze goes off to work. Unlike most, she's not so sure about when she can pack up and go home. Soap operas...they can go on forever...