Unsure of herself and faced with opposition from her father, Shraddha Chauhan, influenced by friends and wellwishers, pushed herself to take a plunge in theatre. A decision she definitely does not regret, says the actor now seen on Zindagi Ek Bhanwar (aired on Doordarshan’s National channel) essaying the role of a tough and ambitious politician, Rajni Devi.
“I am the first person in my family to take up this profession. My mother was happy though my father initially did not agree as he wanted me to join the civil services,” she says, adding, “I managed to convince him as I had the advantage of being the only child.”
She moved to Mumbai in 2009 after doing eight plays and acting in some serials aired on Doordarshan Lucknow. And as luck would have it, she landed a mother’s role in Chillar Party which went on to win the 2011 National Film Award for Best Children’s Film.
Shraddha says though she had participated in cultural events during her student days, the stint in theatre helped her overcome her awkardness in the beginning, since facing large audiences gave her confidence besides improving her speech, pronunciation and diction.
“It was a great help. Though committed to television, I do wish to act in plays,” she says.
She was reluctant to play Rajni Devi in the serial. Why? “I had never done negative roles. My roles in other TV shows, including Jodha Akbar , Jai Jai Bajrangbali , and Chandragupta Maurya were all positive. Producer Shoaib Choudhary, who auditioned me, was confident that I will be able to deliver. This particular character has several shades and aspects, and now I am very comfortable and love enacting it,” explains the actor.
Rajni is a political activist who despite 15 years of work in a political party is overlooked when Baldev Singh (Tej Sapru) vacates his Assembly seat to fight a Parliament seat and nominates his wife. Feeling cheated she goes all out to destroy Baldev.
“She is an ambitious woman who after years of service feels let down. She is not totally a negative character. There are positive aspects to it like affection for her mother. These are rarely manifested due to circumstances,” explains the actor.
Shraddha is forthright that she did not undertake any special preparation for her role and has not faced any difficulty so far.
“I place myself in her position and think and act the way she would have – a complete mental make up.”
She did study the speaking mannerisms of Sushma Swaraj the BJP leader and is an ardent admirer of Indira Gandhi’s personality.
How does it feel to be pitched against veteran actors like Zarina Wahab, Raza Murad and Tej Sapru? “They are all down to earth and humble. It is an enriching experience performing with them in such a conducive and happy atmosphere,” says the actor adding, “While shooting I completely don Rajni’s character. This gives me confidence to play the part.”
Happy with the positive feedback and the audience response, Shraddha comments, “Through this role I want people to recognise me as an artist capable of delivering varied and different roles.”
Shraddha is unfazed by the industry’s penchant for stereotyping actors and is game for more roles of this type provided they have depth, meaning and offer something new.
“It need not be a lengthy part but should provide scope to display one’s talent.”
Shraddha’s ideal is Rekha, whose charisma and persona impresses her no end. “I desire to do the intense roles played by her in films like Ghar and Umrao Jaan .”
But as of now she is prepared for a long haul and not unduly worried about continuing with serials.
“These days it is feasible to switch from the small to the big screen.”
The pragmatic facet of her personality comes to the fore when she adds, “I will continue to do television commercials and print advertisements as these will keep me in the public gaze and get me recognition.”
