In an industry where many lead actresses fail to bag a major role after their show winds up, fortune has favoured Barkha Bisht. Last seen in Star's Pyaar Ke Do Naam, Ek Radha Ek Sham, this vivacious gal is now the protagonist Anupama in Sahara One's Doli Saja Ke.

"I guess I am very lucky. For my debut vehicle, MTV's Kitne Mast Hain Zindagi, Balaji tested 21000 candidates out of which I was selected. Later, I bagged a lead role in Star's Pyar Ke…..Even for Doli… there was immense competition but I got through," Barkha says with a smile.

How does it feel playing this new role?

"Though I don't really identify with Anupama's character, it's quite a challenge to play a manhoos (jinxed) girl. But I suppose being on the sets for 18 hours a day and 20 days a month, the character grows onto you. And of course Aroonaji has been a great support," voices Barkha

To ready herself for the role, Barkha has been busy watching the old flick Anupama starring Sharmila Tagore in it. "I am trying to adopt Sharmilaji's closed body language in Doli….

It's not the first time that this actor has a meaty part to play. "In my previous show Pyar Ke….I have essayed three different characters: a chulbuli (bubbly) village belle, a serious doctor and a politician's daughter, as the story was about re-incarnations," says Barkha.

Blessed with a tall frame and hour glass figure, Barkha has just opted out of Popkorn News on Zoom. "I just couldn't cope up; in fact I fainted on the sets of both the shows. Though, that doesn't mean I shy away from hard work. I got to know the reality during my first show itself when for a two minute scene I had to shoot for two hours. Sometimes it gets stressful but when you look at yourself on the small screen I feel it's all worth it," adds Barkha.

Not many know that before slipping into an actor's shoes Bisht has worked with GE Capital for more than four years as a voice trainer. "My dad never approved of me acting, but the bug had bitten me. I grew up watching TV soaps and was very impressed with the way the industry was shaping up. So, I had made up my mind that I wanted to be a part of it."

So, after Tellywood is she eyeing the big screen?

"Never really have I thought of doing films as the casting couch worries me. In fact, that's one of a major impediment. But I am sure there are nice people in the film industry too," Barkha signs of on that optimistic note.