Neha Marda aka Urmi of Doli Armaano Ki speaks with Sangeeta Yadav about her character’s complete makeover and how she assisted the stylist with this new look
Your new look in the show Doli Armano Ki is great. How did this happenIJ
The stylist of the show and I brainstormed over many looks before zeroing on this one. We picked up sarees that were smart yet sober and blouses that were chic.
What prompted you to design this lookIJ
I’m not very fashion conscious. But as Urmi, I had a certain look in my mind. She is a single mother who is happy to be independent. So the look in the show is what suits her personality and that is why I designed this look.
Where did you get inspiration for this lookIJ
My producer Pearl Grey is a single mother and a very good friend of mine. I look up to her and the way she is leading her life. She is successful, highly creative and very fashionable. looking at her, it doesn’t appear that she needs a man. Not that I have sat and discussed these things with her. But I see the way she is living her life. So I took cue from her for my character. Once you start living the character, you start playing it all the time. One just needs a push in the right direction.
How comfortable are you working with childrenIJ
I’m not very friendly with them and children usually don’t like me. But ever since Shaurya has come into Urmi’s life, my real life mother-in-law has been asking me when I am planning a family. I have had to do a lot of introspection because I have to fall in love with children to have my own. But now I’m ready. Shaurya has inspired me to be a mother. I’m so much in love with this child that this is the first time in my life that I want to have one of my own.
Showmakers talk about issues through shows. What issues would you like to be shown on TVIJ
Most of the shows are women centric. In Doli Armaano Ki and other shows, we show women’s perspective. In India, 70 per cent of domestic violence relate to women and 30 per cent for men. Research also says that men are molested too. It’s just that men don’t come out and talk about it because they find it embarrassing. It will be interesting to see a show with a man’s point of view.
What changes you would to see on the TV frontIJ
It will be nice to see seasons instead of never ending drama. Short stories are able to grab the viewers’ interest faster. Not everybody had the time to see daily soap. Viewers staying glued to TV everyday at the same time should not be the only criteria for production houses. Instead, tele-series is more than enough for a person to show their loyalty.
The industry doesn't give you, the actor, time to think about oneself. After 18 hours of work, two hours of travel, socialising, you feel drained. When you keep doing one show for five years, you don’t know where these years have gone. Through teleseries, life of an actor will become more organised.
Will Urmi be able to save ShauryaIJ
Samrat is making Urmi's life a living hell after knowing that she needs his help to save Shaurya who has bone marrow cancer. Samrat agrees to have another child with Urmi on Damini’s (Ishaan’s mother) request thinking that it will ensure that Urmi is out of Ishaan’s life. In the coming week, there will be a big twist in the show that will bring some respite Urmi and Ishaan.