The beautiful and talented Anjana Sukhani is on cloud nine as her web series Bada Naam Karenge has received a lot of appreciation. Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to her about the show and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Anjana Sukhani ecstatic with Bada Naam Karenge response; is proud that it’s a RARE web series for the whole family: “There’s a satvik atmosphere on Rajshri sets where even ‘pagal hai kya’ is considered an abuse; Sooraj Barjatya makes you feel he’s the fan while you are the star”
How has been the feedback for Bada Naam Karenge?
It has been very positive. I do understand that it’s not a lengthy character. But it’s important to the story. Hence, the reviews and also the love from the public have been very heartwarming. When we were making the show, director Palash Vaswani knew that this character would hold onto her own. I went with full belief that Palash would handle it very well and he did it.
It was a surprise to see you in such a role as you have never done something like that before. Were you surprised to be offered the character of Neeta?
Not at all. Palash and I have been wanting to work together for a while. After Gullak, I knew that I wanted to work with this director. We were in touch constantly and when the first draft of the show was ready, he told me that he had a role for me. I manifested working with him and it happened to me. Thanks to him, the journey was very easy. When a director is sure of what he/she wants and how he/she wants it, it puts the actor at ease. All the actor then needs is to execute it emotionally right. The writing has been beautiful; Palash made it clear that I don’t have much dialogues but assured me that he’ll play with the silences. And he did it well as it’s his forte. In the climax, there are no talkie scenes. The eyes do the talking for the characters.
I am sure many viewers in the end would have wanted Neeta to leave her husband Rajesh (played by Rajesh Tailang)…
Maybe they are keeping it for Season 2! I don’t think it will happen. Rajshri ke shows mein divorces nahin hote (laughs). On a serious note, I understand that as there’s nothing that can’t be spoken about and solved. In the show, my character gets married even without knowing the man. They just got her married off in a week’s time; she didn’t even have a choice. Her brother has not accepted her even after 20 years. Also, she hasn’t been depicted as a working woman. Hence, where can she go? So, she had no choice but to stay put. I am sure there are a lot of women who probably want to get out (of such marriages) but are not able to as they are maybe not financially independent or emotionally stable enough to handle the situation. Though she is suppressed, she still has that opinion. In 20 years, she has reached the position that she can have a say but only to an extent.
The show talks about real India, where kids still hide from their parents that they drink. Were you worried how the hard-nosed critics would react as they might not know that such a side of India also exists?
65% of our population is under 35. We are only seeing from an urban point of view that aisa hota nahin hai. But in 2 and 3-tier cities, people are still not comfortable drinking with their parents or even having an opinion about it with them. Like I would never drink in front of my parents. We have never reached that stage and as Indians, I don’t think we ever will. We even shouldn’t do it as we are doing it out of respect and not fear.
Most of the web shows nowadays have too much sex and violence. Bada Naam Karenge is a rare show which is a clean family entertainer…
It’s the only such show across all platforms (laughs). I would like to mention that my previous show Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt Ltd was also pretty much on the same lines. So, I guess I am choosing my directors wisely (laughs). Bada Naam Karenge depicts value systems, celebration, pain, etc. It’s like a complete package. My mother was seeing the sixth episode and during the song ‘Naino Se Cheater’, she started dancing (smiles). It was a joyous moment and I recorded it (laughs). Hence, even the elders are enjoying it. Otherwise, mothers usually opt for TV as they don’t get clean content on the web.
Bada Naam Karenge is backed by Sooraj Barjatya. It is said that on his sets, no one shouts or gets angry. Is that true?
Aapne bilkul sahi suna hai! We didn’t hear anyone raising their voice, be it the director, producer or spot boy. Sometimes, to give instructors, people tend to talk loudly. That also didn’t happen here. Hence, you get to work in a satvik atmosphere on Rajshri sets!
How was your experience of interacting with Sooraj Barjatya?
I kept missing him by a whisker. When the actors were shooting in Mumbai, I was not a part of the schedule. When he was leaving Indore is when I had just arrived in the city. When he returned to Indore, I had just left! I was the only actor who missed meeting him while everybody else had a conversation with him. Eventually, I got my chance while the interviews were happening. We had a very nice chat. He’s very humble. He makes you feel that he’s the fan while you are the star but it’s vice versa (smiles).
How was it working with Rajesh Tailang? You have the maximum scenes with him…
His performance is very nuanced. Yet, you don’t feel that he has made any effort for it. He just flows into a character. It was also perfect casting. The requirement was for an actor who was charming but also wicked.
It was great to see you and him being paired together…
When I was told I’d be cast opposite him, I was like ‘This is no match’! But we needed that ‘no match’ pairing. Hence, we also have a scene where Jyoti aunty says, ‘Aapko yeh kahan se mil gayi?’!
Will there be a Season 2? There’s not much of a cliff-hanger though…
Thoda cliff-hanger toh hai. Rajesh ji ka character ab tak sudhra nahin hai. Rajshri ke show mein sab sudhre hue hote hai (laughs). Hence, there’s still that hope that he’ll turn a new leaf.
Was there ever a scene between you and Mohit (Sameer Dharmadhikari)?
There was never supposed to be a scene between us. It was only verbally spoken that this was her past and it has hampered the last 20 years of her life.
It was heartbreaking to see what she went through…
Yes, but this also happens in real. People hold grudges and they do that till the very end, without realizing that it’s a small life. Forgive and move on.
Were there any bloopers or funny moments on the sets?
A lot of them. We have fallen and stumbled. Galti se gaali de di. On Rajshri sets, even saying ‘pagal hai kya’ is considered an abuse!
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Anjana Sukhani recalls being “completely ignored” in Good Newwz promotions; reveals Akshay Kumar arranged press meet for her at Dharma Productions office; says, “If I do five extra interviews, it won’t affect anyone’s stardom”
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