The new ‘Anandi’, Pratyusha Banerjee made a big splash all right in the media but interestingly, the new ‘Jagya’, Shashank Vyas had an almost silent entry. But then once on air, Shashank proved he was not another new kid on the block but was someone to watch out for. TellyChakkar met the 6 feet plus handsome young boy from Ujjain. Tell us something about your growing up days I am from Ujjain. I am from a typical middle class family. I have a sister. After I completed my graduation, I started studying for my MBA entrance exams. But somehow it was not really working out. That is when I started thinking what I could do best. I realized I did drama well and enjoyed doing it. That is when I started looking at acting as an option. Is that when you moved to Mumbai? You can say that. I shifted to Mumbai a couple of years back and started taking up every little work that came my way. I have acted in Rishta.com and a number of print ads. I just did one episode for Rishta. Since it was a Yash Raj production, I did not want to refuse it. The early days were really tough for me. I have really undergone difficult days financially and personally. So how did ‘Jagya’ happen? Last October I suddenly got a call from Sphere Origins and they asked me to participate in a number of workshops and look tests. They refused to divulge any details and just asked me to participate in the workshops. Six months down the line, I was called again and asked to take a number of look tests. When I asked for details of the role and show, they refused to tell anything! Finally, after a few days I was told I had auditioned for Jagya of Balika Vadhu. But no one committed anything and I got the standard response of ‘we will get back to you’. After a few days, I finally got the much awaited call! I had been chosen and was asked to pack my bags for Jaisalmer. Everyone seems to be liking your chemistry with Pratyusha… Let me tell you a funny incident. When I went to the office of Sphere Origins for the second round of auditions, I saw Pratyusha there. We met and exchanged pleasantries. Neither of us knew what roles we were auditioning for. Thankfully we kept in touch after that. When I got selected for Jagya, I called her to share the good news. That is when she said she was the new Anandi! It was such a happy coincidence. I must admit our off screen friendship has helped us develop our on-screen chemistry. How did the co-stars in Balika Vadhu help you? There are three NSD veterans in the show Sulekha Sikri, Anoop Soni and Satyajit. All of them are extremely helpful. Add to that Smita Bansal. You will know that just staying with them and watching them perform is a learning experience in itself. The director, Pradeep Yadav is also very helpful. At every stage the team is helping me find my way and perform better. I am truly indebted to them. What is the good and bad side of being an actor? (Smiles) It is too early for me to comment on the bad side! About the good side, I am from an ordinary family in Ujjain. For me, playing a lead role in a serial like Balika Vadhu is a big achievement. I have struggled a lot financially and otherwise, so I really feel happy now. I work 14 hours every day and just have enough time to go home, fall asleep and get ready for the next day’s shoot.