Finally the long wait is over. Sony's prime time show, Durgesh Nandini (which replaces Bigg Boss) is all set to be aired on 5th February. Touted as an inspiration from Bhankimchandra's classic by the same name, Durgesh Nandini gives a great opportunity to new comer Rinku Ghosh (the protagonist) to make a noteworthy debut on television.
With the telecast of Durgesh Nandini a few days away, this model turned actor (she has done regional cinema and a few hindi films) spoke at length about her new show and the new medium, television.
Excerpts from a chat with Ruhail Amin.
Tell us about your character in and as Durgesh Nandini?
Durgesh Nandini is a girl who cherishes certain values in life like honesty, simplicity and kindness, but saying this she is also very contemporary in terms of her street smart attitude. She can be brutally aggressive and yet have a soft corner for somebody who needs her help. I play an out-and-out rustic girl, with a tomboyish twist to her. In fact she closely resembles my real persona. I would say I am playing myself in the show.
Does it sound alarming working for a show that has a rural backdrop?
Not at all. I accept that most of the TV shows these days have an urban appeal, but at the same time the fact is that most of our population still resides in villages. A show like Durgesh Nandini would cater to a larger population in that sense. I am confident that with the kind of theme this shows portrays it will definitely go well with the audiences.
After working in films, how's the television experience been so far?
I won't say that I am totally new to television. In the sense, I've done TV commercials for brands like Kelvinator, Rexona and Sweekar Oil. Though I agree that my forte has been films - regional cinema to be precise. I have done films like Iyyer IPS (Tamil), Dravina Chaliya (Telugu), Joi Maa Durga (Bengali), Suhaagni Banade Sajana Hamaar (Bhojpuri) and two Hindi films, Koi Hai and Wrong Number.
Durgesh Nandini has close shades to some characters that I have enacted in regional films. Moreover, both films and television have similar kind of demands from an actor. So, I would say that it has been a comfortable experience so far.
So, how excited are you about the show?
I am really thrilled about the shows release. I have a habit of taking up one thing at a time and concentrating on it fully. Right now my focus is Durgesh Nandini. I feel I have been lucky in getting this kind of a role which is not a very common sight on TV today.
What other projects are you busy with at the moment?
At the moment I am shooting for Durgesh Nandini in Mumbai. As I said earlier, I concentrate on one project at atime. Though a few of my Bhojpuri films are lined up for release this year.