I was injured and have cried in front of Ronit da (Roy) during Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain shoot: Pooja Banerjee
Young and talented Pooja Banerjee, who plays a pivotal role in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, returned as Bani Mehra in the third season of Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain.
The actress was juggling between the shoots of the ALT Balaji series Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain season 3, Kasautii Zindagii Kay reboot and Zee 5 series The Casino when the lockdown was enforced. Now, she has been using the much-needed break to spend some quality time with her husband Sandeep Sejwal.
In conversation with IWMBuzz.com, Pooja spoke about the show, bonding with co-actors, her difficulties during the shoot, and more.
How was your experience working on season 3 of the series?
It has been an amazing experience to work on the three seasons of the show. For me, it has been a great milestone as an actor. After TV shows, Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain was my debut web series so being a part of it was great. I used to look forward to going to the set. However, this season was different because I had met with an accident back then, hence, I did not want to go to the set immediately. I wasn’t fully functioning. I was doing a TV show wherein you could handle shooting with cheat shots. However, this was a web series so it was too much for me to handle work pressure. It was very challenging as an actor because I had my own personal troubles.
This season Bani was having a total transition from season 1 and 2. Though in pain the unit helped me heal faster. I call them my seniors and they helped me evolve as a better actor. It’s very important to let go of your own emotions, whatever you feel, and become one with the character. There were scenes where I had to yell and shout and bang the door and throw things at Ronit da but I couldn’t do that because I was injured. So I had to act in a way that people wouldn’t feel that was sick or I had any problem. It was quite a challenge.
What was the most challenging scene in the third season?
There was one fight sequence between Bani, Aman and Rohit and it escalated to a little bit of physical fight which was very difficult. I was not aware of whom to stop, how to stop and to act. We all had to yell in the scene and that day we had more than 20 actors on set and they actually thought that we were having a real fight and they came out of their vanity van. Later, they realized that we were just shooting for a scene. It was difficult for me to become physically and verbally aggressive for the scene.
What is different about season 3? What will attract the audience most about part 3?
Season 3 is completely different from both the previous seasons. Every character of the series was running away from what life they already had. In this season everything comes into the picture. Life comes full circle. Poonam at one of time feels bad that just because she wanted to have a new life with Abhimanyu, she cannot neglect her daughters. Bani had so much angst in her for her father and Ananya but now she has nowhere else to go but Ananya. And at the same time, later on, she realizes that her father is her father and he can’t be replaced. Season 3 is about the things we are running away that we never wanted in our life again but now we are getting it.
How has your bond evolved with co-stars during these three seasons?
It has been three years that we have been working together. Now, it’s like a family. We are now aware of each other’s mood swings and temperament. I bonded the most with Gurdeep ma’am (Kohli). She often tells me that I am like her. Ronit sir often tells me that you are like my daughter but you don’t have my blood. He really takes care of me. I have cried in front of him as I just didn’t know how to perform at time due to injury. He doesn’t talk much. He is very nice and caring.
Which type of character would you like to explore now on web?
There are a lot of characters to explore as an actor. I have played a few different roles but I would like to play the role of a criminal and a cop. I wouldn’t mind doing a really hard-core romantic drama again.
Are you missing shoot?
Yes, I do miss the shoot. I miss my co-actors from Kasautii set. I miss having fun, eating food, and doing gossip with my Kasautii family.
How are you spending your quarantine time?
I am all day involved in household work. I watch TV or Netflix. I do meditation, exercise and then relax. I have been also cooking and making a lot of new dishes every day. I haven’t repeated a single menu these 3 months. My husband gets a hotel service feel. He tells me and I prepare the dish for him.
What is the first thing you will do post lockdown?
I would visit the parlor.
Any message for fans?
I would like to tell my fans to watch Kehne Ko and Casino. I hope the audience enjoys both of my projects and let me know your views on the same.
