With just her second TV show, VINTI IDNANI is already doing something very unlike her contemporaries. She talks to PRAKRITI ROY about her experience of playing a woman traffic cop Nandu on Jaane Kya Hoga Rama Re
What excites you about this showIJ
I always wanted to do something different, not the typical Indian family drama TV soap. Even as a person, I am different, so I can’t really picture myself in those roles. These kinds of roles attract me, especially the fact that Nandu stands up for what she believes in.
Is Vinti anything like NanduIJ
Physically maybe, but emotionally, not at all. I am also very tomboyish, I like wearing sneakers, I can’t walk like a girl. But unlike me, Nandu is very aggressive. I am more of a happy-go-lucky person who doesn’t pick up fights with everyone and hits them.
Women traffic cops are rare in India. How did you prep for the role in the absence of good examples to followIJ
The main difficulty was the language spoken in these parts of north India. But I actually did have a really good example of a woman traffic cop, right below my building. I befriended her when I found out I have to play this part and she was kind enough to let me hang around and observe her while she worked. The surprising thing is that they are totally different when they are working and in their personal life!
How is working on a drama-based serial different from a dance-based oneIJ
Of course it is really different. Dance is like my ultimate passion and I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some really great dancers. My previous show was the ultimate choice for someone who loves dance. Here, I need to have a much deeper and greater understanding of my character, which is a much bigger challenge. I have to go into the complexity of Nandu.
How is your dancing goingIJ
Unfortunately I don’t get time to dance as much as I would like to. But even when I have a free moment, I just take some music and dance a little. But I really miss it.
How has your experience been working with a veteran like Supriya PathakIJ
Absolutely amazing. I was really scared of doing things wrong on the first day. But she is so humble and so supportive that she made work fun for us. She does endless rehearsals with me and she’s so hard working even now.
What kind of feedback have you received on the show till nowIJ
A lot of people are liking the unusual theme of the show. It’s very different and that’s why it’s been getting a great response. The storyline is already very strong and we are hoping that it will just keep getting better and bigger.
A lot of shows start out as something but take a completely different course. Are you afraid that can happenIJ
I agree that it happens a lot. But what keeps me positive here is that they have lived up to everything they said initially. They’ve really stuck to their words so I hope ours is not one of those shows that changes completely.