Pankhuri Awasthy has gained fame and immense popularity through her role of Razia in Razia Sultan. The actress is currently playing the feisty princess Draupadi on Sony Entertainment Television’s Suryaputra Karn. 

She certainly is convincing in the avatar of the mighty lady and recently stated that playing the character has been like a challenge for her.

We caught up with the actress to know more about her experience as Draupadi.

“I am learning a lot. Not everyone is lucky to play such a role. I am getting used to staying in the character for long hours and be someone that I am not, but I am sure all this hard work will pay off,” she said.

Initially, you were part of a historical show Razia Sultan and now a mythological one… don’t you think there is a similarity between the roles? She shared, “If you’re talking about period drama, then definitely it’s similar, but if you’re referring to the characters and story, then it’s all different.”

Do you only wish to do these kinds of roles or a daily soap too? “I am open to all. I am here to act, so I will do all kinds of roles and experiment with things too. But in daily soap, the creative satisfaction is very less. I have selected Draupadi just because it’s a performance-based show. The powerful Chir-Haran sequences interests me as a performer,” she observed.

We heard you talking in pure Hindi, how do you manage that? “Yes we talk in Shuddh Hindi these days. Transitioning from my previous Muslim show was a little difficult to catch up. But eventually, I learnt it. Now we are pros at it,” added the beauty.

And when we asked Pankhuri about women facing Draupadi-like situation in the current generation, she said, “Times may have changed, but the position of women in the society has not. There is so much that we can learn. Our country is still progressing. In fact, in some villages, women are still treated like a commodity. But I think this will also change.”

Who is your favourite character in the Mahabharat (other than Draupadi)?  “Shakuni because he is one of the powerful characters. And his performance is also superb. Playing Shakuni is challenging and tough. My second favourite is Krishna.  He is the heart and soul of Mahabharat and the lessons given by him are valid for every person,” signed off the lady.

Great luck, Pankhuri!