Talented youngster Sanaya Pithawalla who has enthralled TV viewers with her performances in Warrior High and Gumrah has literally announced her arrival in the acting sphere with her superlative performance in ALTBalaji’s now-streaming series, The Great Indian Dysfunctional Family produced by Tanveer Bookwala’s DING Entertainment.
Playing the role of Aditi Ranaut, the next generation member in the family, the girl has taken the challenge of playing a lesbian character with utmost confidence.
Says Sanaya, “We really worked hard on the series and were not sure of the outcome. So all the positive reactions pouring in make us really happy. This has to be my career-best work so far, because it was very different when compared to what I have been offered in the past.”
“I did not think initially that I will bag the role because I was unsure of performing to this level. But Tanveer, our Producer saw my audition and wanted me for the role. I did not even think that I will be able to do a good job. But I proceeded seeing his confidence in me. It was a great experience working with a cast like this; Kay Kay Menon, Barun Sobti, Swaroop Mam (Sampat) were brilliant to work with. We actually became like a family at the end of it,” she adds.
Talking about the complexity involved in playing the role, she states, “I took me a while to understand my character graph. Initially, they did not want me to reveal that she was a lesbian. So I had to play it safe in the first episode. The Director Rajlaxmi Ratan Seth was very helpful; she would let me do the scenes the way I wanted to. The challenge in playing the role was what I liked in it. As I said earlier, I was not sure of pulling off this character so well.”
“It is the first time I have worked with Ekta. The writing by Tanveer was fabulous. I could not have asked for a better cast, role and show,” Sanaya states.
The Great Indian Dysfunctional Family is actually Sanaya’s first web-series. “I always wanted to be part of the web. I was testing for many roles, but this was the best on web that I could get. It was a very different role, which does not come often. I am glad that I picked it.”
Sanaya is more eager to take up commitments on the web, as it requires shorter time and also provides creative challenges to an actor.
On her future plans, she states, I am just taking in all the appreciations that have come my way for Dysfunctional (smiles). I hope that I get lot more work and calls. This was one eyeopener of a role for me; people will definitely see me in a new light now. Also, this role has helped me a lot as an actor.”
The year has been fruitful for Sanaya, as her movie Ishqeria, shot long back released too. “I am happy. Hopefully, the next year will give me more (smiles). I will mostly look for work on the web or in films.”
Way to go, Sanaya!!