She is the envy of thousands of aspirants who throng the Balaji Telefilms' Mumbai headquarters daily in the hope of a life changing role! She is the gal who will play Nimmo, rumoured to be a character based on Ekta Kapoor herself! In her first ever interview with the media, Sanjeeda AR tells Tellychakkar.com's Kavita Shyam how Lady Luck happened to favour her!

"I have no Hindi film connections"

Lucky you!
Well, I am indeed very lucky! I had come to Mumbai to help a friend, but now...!
I was born and brought up in Ahmedabad. We are a family of four which includes my parents, my younger brother who is studying and, of course, my dog!
I had come down to Mumbai about four years ago to help my friend open a dance school and decided to stay on in Mumbai. I used to teach fusion dance at many places like Rahejas and at The Leela.

Have you acted or modeled before bagging the Balaji project, Nimmo...?
I have done three South Indian films in a span of one year - one Kannada, Telugu and a Tamil film with A.N. Rathnam Productions. I am known down south but not anywhere in Mumbai and have no Bollywood projects so bagging Nimmo... was a big high for me!

How did you bag the lead role in Nimmo...?

" I bumped into Ekta at a party"

I have no Hindi film background and have always been open to working in serials and was waiting for the right role to come my way.

I had gone to a Zoom channel party and Ekta was partying with her own group, when she saw me dancing and called me the next day to meet her. I took a screen-test and was called again in eight days to say that I was to play Nimmo.

I was ecstatic to get a call from Ekta Kapoor. She called me at home to narrate the story and the character to me. If I would have got a Balaji show before the films I did down south, I would have jumped at the offer.

What is your role like in the show?
I play a simple girl in the show who is content with life. She is happy with her family and the way her life is going and how later she moulds and changes herself. It's a simple story with a different treatment. Nimmo does not dress up in a trendy fashion and I sport a high ponytail, kurta and jeans look in the show. I am enjoying myself thoroughly, playing Nimmo.

"I am not so simple in real life"

How different are you from Nimmo in real life and what is the real Sanjeeda like?
Nimmo is very clumsy and so am I but I am not as simple as Nimmo in real life.
Though of course, I can relate to Nimmo in the way she is close to her parents and adores her sibling.
Sanjeeda is someone who takes life as it comes, has no regrets whatsoever, is very close to her family. She is very thankful to God and has a positive attitude towards life.

If not an actor, what would you have been?
I would have continued my dance classes but I would eventually like to have a dance school of my own.

How does your family react to your acting in serials and you bagging this role?
I think I am very lucky to have a supportive family. They are extremely happy the way my career is moving. Every day is a new day and I feel happy to see them smiling and happy because of me.

What are your hobbies?
I like to dance and sing. I love driving around the city in my WagonR. Besides, I love to go for holidays and Mumbai is my favourite place to holiday. I simply love the city, it has made the lives of thousands of people and it has made stars out of nobodies.

"I want every parent to want to have a daughter like Nimmo"

Are you dating anyone?
I feel very shy to talk about my personal life. But honestly, I have no time for boyfriends and let it be a surprise for people!

Anything else that you'd like to mention about the show?
I am enjoying being with the Balaji clan and don't mind shooting for long hours (read 12-15 hours a day) for the show. I see people outside the Balaji office and wonder how lucky I was to get the offer in such a simple fashion! Balaji gives good publicity to its shows and its actors. I am here to make a name for myself and pray that people love and accept me in the show. I would want every parent to want to have a daughter like Nimmo!