'Playing Dhani is very challenging'

How is it to play a 20-year-old widow in Ishq Ka Rang SafedIJ

It’s a very challenging and intense role. Dhani experiences a lot of things in her life. To play a widow is a challenge. In real life, I am very energetic and love to dance and jump. To play Dhani, I had to tone down my enthusiasm and be in a space outside my comfort zone. It is difficult to not let Eisha step into Dhani’s life. When it happens, I quickly correct myself. It is still a learning phase for me.

Was it difficult to portray a character much older than youIJ

I was nervous when I bagged this show. I felt I will not be able to do justice to it. It is difficult to get the right mindset and maturity. But for this role, I visited some widows who are living in ashrams in Varanasi. I was so shocked to see how they live. I also took a cue from how my grandmother who was widowed early in life, lived her life. Though, there weren’t any restrictions on her, she put a lot of dos and don’ts on herself. When I am Dhani, I keep these women and my grandmother in mind. I try my best to relate to their lives and show a glimpse of the same to the viewers.

Did you watch any movies on the lives of widowsIJ

I watched how Padmini Kolhapure in Prem Rog and lisa Ray and Seema Biswas in Water acted. The plight of widows in India is dismal. Being widowed is not their mistake. Even in the 21st century, we have a closed view when on widows and how they should live. 

Tell us Dhani’s story.

It begins with Dhani getting married to an alcoholic who dies after a few days of the arranged marriage. The focus is not on the background story. Instead, it is about how her life changes when she becomes a widow and issues around widow remarriage.

You are making a debut. Did you take time to adjust yourself to the TV sceneIJ

The cast and crew of the show made it very comfortable for me. Everybody pulls my leg and plays pranks on me but I get pampered a lot as well.  The production house is supportive. They understand coming to Mumbai is not an easy thing for a girl from Bhopal.

How did acting happenIJ

I loved acting even as a toddler. I have been doing theatre. But my first real stint with acting happened with a film Satra Ko Shaadi Hai which is yet to be released. It’s a John Abraham Production. I used to watch movies and wanted to be in them but didn’t know how to go about it. Then came the auditions for Ishq Ka... I gave the auditions through video conferencing and got selected. Nothing was planned but things happened for me without putting in too much effort into it. I didn’t have to go from director to director or from one production house to another for work.

What about family supportIJ

My mother has moved with me to Mumbai to  help me get settled. Some of my friends have big plans but they couldn’t pursue it because their parents didn’t support them. My family is completely supportive of my acting career.

How are you managing your studiesIJ

I’m doing self-studies. I go back to Shri Bhavans Bharti Public School only to give exams. The school has been supportive as well. They provide me the notes etc.