Sumona Chakaravarti shifted from Lucknow to Mumbai with her parents with the dream of becoming an actress. After playing second lead in many shows she finally got the opportunity to explore her acting talent as Natasha in Balaji’s Bade Acche Lagte Hain. In an interview with TellyChakkar, Sumona Chakravarti talks about her character, her co-stars, her family and more. Excerpts from the interview. How has the professional journey been till date? I hail from Lucknow but I shifted with my family to Mumbai in 1997. I always wanted become an actor and join the entertainment industry. I started with ads and small modelling assignments. After that I did a small cameo in Balaji’s Kasamh Se, followed by a role in the movie Aakhari Decision. I also featured in shows like Howzzat, Kab Kyun Kaise, Detective Dolls, Khotey Sikkey and Devi. Now I am acting along with Sakshi Tanwar and Ram Kapoor in Bade Acche Lagte Hain. This is my short journey till date. How supportive is your family? My family has always been a very big support in all my endeavours. My dad is working in Sri Lanka since the past three years so I don’t get to see him much. But my mother and younger brother have always supported me. How did Bade Acche Lagte Hain happen? I was called by the creative people of Balaji and asked to give the look test for the role of Natasha and Ishika. After a couple of days I was confirmed to play Natasha. Personally I wanted to bag Natasha’s role and was happy after getting it. The character of Natasha has negative shades. Aren’t you worried of getting typecast? Natasha is not a negative character. People are currently seeing one aspect of her character. She is not a bad person but only a spoilt rich girl who is pampered a lot by her elder brother. But she will start adjusting in the future. Natasha’s character is an intriguing one. What is it like working with Balaji? Balaji is like family to me. I have earlier done cameos with them but Natasha is my first important role. I enjoy working with the production house and the entire cast and crew is also very supportive. What is your equation with Ram Kapoor? It’s wonderful. I respect him a lot and call him bhai. He calls me choti. I met him for the first time on the sets Kasamh Se and we bonded immediately. When we started shooting for Bade Acche… he was surprised to see me and asked, “Choti… tu yahan kaise?” He didn’t know that I was playing the role of his sister. What about Sakshi Tanwar? I absolutely love her. She is so mesmerizing. When it comes to acting she is too good. I can sit and look at her for hours while she is working. I did a cameo with her in Devi but we didn’t get to talk much then. However, while working with her in Bade Acche… I learned that she is a very down to earth person. It is a treat to work with her. Any interesting moment from the sets of Bade Acche Lagte Hain… After my first shot I was sitting in front of the monitor watching Sakshi enacting an emotional sequence. She was supposed to sit and cry. When the shot was over everybody on the sets was stunned and quiet. I was amazed at her performance. I just stood up, ran towards Sakshi and hugged her. This is one memory that I will always remember. Working in the TV industry is tough and strenuous. How do you take time out for personal life? I have been in the profession for quite sometime now and I have learned how to handle stress and pressure. As far as my family is concerned, they understand me and my work really well. Yes, my friends do get upset with me at times as I don’t get much time to hang out with them. But somehow I have learned to balance personal and professional life. Are you seeing someone? Ahem ahem… Not really. (Laughs) Any other projects in the kitty? Right now I am focusing on my role in Bade Acche Lagte Hain. Let’s see what else comes my way in the future.