MUSBA HASHMI speaks with AMANDEEP SIDHU, who plays Mahi in Zee TV’s latest offering Teri Meri Ikk Jindri, about the challenges associated with the role and her day on the sets as the lead
This is your first show as a lead, how was the experience? Did you have some kind of pressure?
Yes definitely. There was a lot of pressure. It was fun, but challenging. Mahi is an independent girl, motivated multitasker, who is betaab to contribute to her family by making a mark of her own. She is the first woman cab driver of Amritsar and juggles between household work and her career at ease. However, on the other hand, Amandeep is not so expressive. So it was challenging for me to do justice to my character. Also, being the lead came with a lot of responsibility.
Were there any apprehensions before taking up the role?
Yes, a lot. The creatives kept on telling me that I have to carry the show on my shoulders. They said: “Aman yeh show tera hai, tujhey hi sambhalna hai.” This made a nervous. I thought whether or not I will be able to take this responsibility. Also, the character was not so easy. But at the end of the day, I was convinced I can do it.
What all preparations did you have to do?
First, I am a fitness freak and I spent the lockdown keeping fit. But then I was told that I am too slim for the role. I was given 25 days to gain some weight. I gained about six kgs. That was a challenge. Second, the role demanded me to drive a car. I was well-versed with automatic cars, but here I have to learn driving from the scratch in 15 days. I was made to drive on the galis of Amritsar that too while delivering dialogues on the go. I told them that I can only do the dialogue delivery when the car is on a hault because it was difficult to do the two things at the same time. This was not all. I was also asked to learn to drive a heavy bike. I found it extremely dangerous, because I can drive a scooty but bullet is way too heavy. But then I learnt it as well.
How was the day one on the sets?
Initially, I was excited for the shoot to begin. But once I reached the sets and was made to shoot, I got blank. First, there were so many cameras and I had to perform in front of so many people with so much of responsibility. Second, I had to perform opposite Adhvik Mahajan who is an experienced actor. It made me even more nervous. For a few minutes, I went blank and couldn’t do anything. Then the director told me that he has faith in me and that I have performed so good during the mock shoot. It took me a couple of days to get into the skin of Mahi.
How did Yeh Pyaar Nahi To Kya Hai happened to you?
After completing my Class XII, I told my parents that I want to do modeling. I was pursuing my BA and also modeling. I went for a few shoots. One day, my friend told me that the auditions are happening for Yeh Pyaar... and that had given my profile for it. I was shortlisted and was called for the auditions. They liked it and called me for re-auditioning.
Back then, I thought you have to audition only once and if you are selected you begin shooting. But reality hit me and went for re-auditioning.
They liked my performance but said that i was too young to play the lead. I was only 17 and the character was of a 28-year-old girl. But they liked my audition and asked me if I would play the character of he lead’s sister. I said yes.
Wha kinds of roles would you like to experiment with?
My tummy is full with having got a chance to play Mahi. It is all I could have ever asked for. There is a lot to play in the character. But, if given a chance, I would like to play a cop some time.