Esha Kansara who started her career as Devki Shah in Mukti Bandhan has come a long way, having worked on varied mediums of TV and regional cinema.
Presently, Esha dons the role of Amrita Sakhuja, in Star Plus and Producer Zama Habib’s presentation, Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana. She portrays the role of a pregnant lady who has lost her husband recently but does not shy away from adapting to a very positive attitude to life.
In an exclusive conversation with IWMBuzz.com, Esha talks about her role and the uniqueness of Zama Habib’s writing and also on the concept of the show.
Excerpts:
You are returning to Hindi after a good stint in the regional circuit. How does it feel?
First of all, this is not a comeback to Hindi television. Before this, I have already done Meri Bhabhi, Mukti Bandhan, My Name is Lakhan, Maddam Sir. Yes, it takes a long time to get another show, after the first one. In between, I had given time to few ad films, web films, few sketches online, and also Gujarati films. A good stint in the regional circuit was a much-needed break. I keep doing whatever comes my way. So I don’t see this as my comeback to Hindi.
How is it to work with a class creative mind like Zamaji?
Zama Sir and I have worked earlier in the show Meri Bhabhi. He knows me and about the kind of actor I am, and also I know him, and about his class of writing. This time he is also my Producer. I always like to work with people who make me feel comfortable. It is more important to have a personal relationship as well with the people you work with since we work for a really long time. Zama Sir’s writing has always been a class apart. The main thing that attracted me towards Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana has been its writing, dialogues. The audition script was more than enough for me to understand the role. This has been the most favorite audition that I have given so far. I immediately connected to the character when I read the script.
Tell us about your character.
My character of Amrita is a sweet girl; she has her Sakhuja family, her in-laws who are very dear to her. She cannot see anyone in her family having tears in their eyes. Amrita is a very positive girl. She is the most sought-after bahu. All the mothers and mothers-in-law watching the show will be in love with Amrita. Being Amrita has been a little difficult as she is not what Esha Kansara is. Amrita has made her own sacrifices but has never counted on them. She is pregnant. Being single, I have never experienced this phase. I have had a few of my friends and my own bhabhi who have gone through this phase. I had to ask them to know how it feels to be pregnant. A pregnant woman does not behave like a normal lady. She has different kinds of emotions, and there are new emotions rising in the woman. I had to develop these motherly emotions to play Amrita. Amrita is very mature, she is poised, has her own class. She is very expressive but is not loud. She has her own dressing style. Amrita has a lot of layers and I have tried putting my best. I hope everyone loves Amrita.
What do you think is the USP of the show?
The USP is again the layering of emotions. It is a family show. The Sakhuja family is very much attached but has differences. Amrita’s relationship is very different with every person of the house. She has a different kind of impact on each one of them. She is the connecting thread between them. Everyone loves Amrita and she never disappoints them. It is a very natural show. Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana gives you a different perspective towards life (zindagi). I believe whoever watches it will also want to make some changes in their own personal lives.
Do you think concepts on TV are growing and experimenting with time?
Yes, of course, TV is growing. I don’t want to comment on other shows. But definitely, with Zama Sir and Star Plus coming together, this is one of its kind. In today’s world, the audiences are grown to watching web shows and web films and lot more other stuff that they can relate to. Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana is definitely an experimental show. But at the same time, we promise that audiences are going to love it.
How has your regional phase treated you?
My regional phase has treated me amazingly well. Gujarati medium has always been my first love, since I am a Gujarati. I started with Gujarati theatre, later moved to Hindi TV, and then to Gujarati films. So being a part of Gujarati cinema made me feel like I was going back home. So it made me stay in Ahmedabad for a good two months during the shoot. I have done as many as six Gujarati films till now of which two are going to be released very soon. Guajrati films have given me a lot of love. I am happy that Gujarati content is growing as well.
How different is it to work on TV when compared to films?
TV and films are completely two different mediums. Our lives become so hectic when we shoot for TV. But I love that adrenalin that we get while shooting amidst deadlines. Since I am from theatre, touchwood, I have not had too many problems learning my dialogues. Zama Sir writes so well that it fits in your mind so very well, and gets delivered exactly across on TV. I perform better under pressure. But in films we have a lot of pre-prep and we shoot after studying the character for long. Frankly, I love both, TV and films.
How will you want your character to be accepted by audience?
As I said, Amrita has no defects in her. Even if there are any, it has been shown in a very natural way. Any woman will be able to relate to Amrita. She is going to be a single mother probably, with her husband being no more. Her in-laws love her way too much. Amrita is such a character who will automatically get accepted by viewers. It is a rarity to get such a meaningful character to perform. I will make sure that I will never take her for granted.
How has the lockdown and the Covid phase been for you?
The first lockdown was amazing for me. I know that the world was going through a lot. I take it in a very positive way. I got to spend time with my family. It was an eye-opener in a lot of ways. I started taking care of my family. I started saving for myself and my family. I wanted to look for more work. I missed acting during the lockdown. I was a Covid positive patient in the 2021 lockdown. But I wanted to stay alone. I did not want to travel to Ahmedabad as I had symptoms. I was all by myself in Mumbai. But I got to know that I have some wonderful friends and family friends, who took care of me even while not being with me.
How do you feel as an entertainment warrior, after getting the chance to entertain audiences even during these tough times?
I don’t know if I can be called an entertainment warrior. I love being an actor. I love my viewers, and love to get their reactions. At the same time, we need to follow all the instructions given by the Government. Warriors are all the helpline workers who have toiled to help people in this pandemic phase. Entertainment is important; I am doing it because I love my work.
Your message to fans.
The only message to my fans is that I always get appreciated for the projects that I have chosen. I have gotten appreciated for the niche projects I have been part of. I am only doing what I personally like. I work with all my honesty. I want viewers to criticize me for what they feel like, and appreciate me for whatever they like. As for Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana, they can look forward to a different kind of content on TV.
