SHABNAM SAYED TURNS SURABHI FOR REAL LIFE ROLE AS BAHU

What’s in a name? Ask actor Shabnam Sayed, whose new name not only has her all excited, but has also brought fragrance into her life, literally. The actor, known for her powerful, negative roles in several popular television serials and films like Murder and Raaz II, got married to Saurabh Vanzara two months ago. And the new Vanzara *bahu* has begun her new life with a brand new name. In perfect sync with her husband’s name, Shabnam has now turned  Surabhi – which literally means fragrance. 

“Much before we met each other, my husband’s parents used to joke that they would find a girl called Surabhi for Saurabh.  I liked the name. It has a sweet ring to it,” Shabnam says. “And keeping with the tradition of changing the bahu’s name in my sasural, I decided to be Surabhi Vanzara,” she adds. As for the effect the change could have on her profession, Shabnam is unperturbed. “I’ve already started informing people about the change. And I will continue to use both name till everyone gets used to the new one,” she says coolly.

 Asked if, like many actors, she is bothered about the numerological effect of the name change on her career, Shabnam avers: “I don’t believe in numerology or any such thing. I believe that if one has the talent and works hard, one is bound to succeed.” Here is one actor who is combination of both tradition and modernism at the same time.  

Shabnam  can be currently seen on Zee TV’s latest serial, Hitler Didi, as a young, possessive second wife of a man old enough to be her father –another meaty, negative role.

Viewers, of course, are already familiar with her histrionics, which Shabnam has been displaying with telling effect since the past eight years on the small screen. They can still recall the perm-haired, chirpy office colleague character of Maria in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin and the scheming Babita in the serial, Miilee, among several others. The actor had taken a break from television for a short period to focus on films like Murder and Raaz II, both fetching her accolades from Bollywood biggies.