MADHURA NAIK, model-turned-actor who has been part of TV shows like Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon and Tumhari Pakhi, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about how her acting career began and the biggest attraction of being on the small screen
From modeling to an actor, how has the experience been?
It has been amazing and I can’t complaint. I started my modeling career in Paris. I just wish I had explored this more instead of coming to Mumbai and doing TV. There were some decisions that I was not sure of since I was only 18. If I could turn back time and go back to Paris, it would be a dream come true.
How did your acting career begin?
Modeling and acting were nowhere on the radar. I was studying Science and wanted to be a Genetic Engineer. But the road completely changed for me. What I am doing now, I am thoroughly enjoying.
Why TV?
Nobody from my family is from the entertainment industry. They are all doctors or engineers. After my assignment got over in Paris, I was asked to come back. I was staying in Europe, there was a huge cultural gap between the two countries. The modeling world is also so different from India hence I was asked to come home. But I did a music video for Universal and that was the video that Ekta (Kapoor) had seen. Everything that happened was by fluke. It is only recently that I have started making career choice because it has taken me such a long time to understand how the industry works and looking to doing web series not that TV has taken a backseat.
You have done so many TV show, what has been the attraction?
For me, doing TV is just like any other job. I got into acting by a casting agent for a Balaji show. Since then it has been from getting into one contract to another. That is the reason how and why I ended up being part of so many back-to-back TV shows. It has been a combination of quantity of work with quality.
What is a character that you loved doing?
I loved playing Tanushree Ambolkar in Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani. A lot of people enjoyed watching the show. One of the reasons I enjoyed the role was because Ambolkar played fashionista in the serial and I love to dress up and got to wear the kind of clothes I wanted to wear. Everything about that character fell into place.
How important is it to identify with the character one plays?
It has become an important part of me now after doing TV for so many years where I am able to understand that content. However, there were times when I faced challenges while doing a show that I could not relate to like the show Naagin were I played a shapeshifter. I couldn’t relate to it. It was not like a sci-fi horror drama. In Naagin, it was a full-on family drama and in the middle of it, one was shape-shifting and I couldn’t find a connect.
What kind of roles do you love doing?
I been looking forward for a project that has action. I want to portray a strong character. It could be a cop or an action-driven role.
Does that mean that you have had some sort of training in doing action sequences?
No, I have not taken any formal training. But when I was in school it was compulsory to be part of Taekwondo and gymnastics. We had to be part of other sports as well. Since childhood, I have been drawn to sports so n action show is right up my ally. Also, once doesn’t see too many woman-centric characters on TV so I would love to explore this genre.
Are the OTT platforms changing the content being shown?
Definitely. I have been watching a lot of shows now which have the concept of woman-centric drama. The latest one is Aryaa starring Sushmita Sen. Because of OTT platforms, a lot of content is being rediscovered or is very close to reality. I am looking to doing more web series. My web show is releasing this month — The Ghost Thesis — a horror drama. I recently finished dubbing for it. I play a professor here and am part of a team who go hunting for a ghost in a palace.
How do you choose your projects? Do you have a checklist?
I don’t have one. I wish I had it. We don’t decide what kind of content comes our way. Sometimes, if you have a huge list of projects coming your way, it may be possible to choose but the kind of work that I get for TV is usually family drama or saas-bahu sagas. There is no checklist.