Actress Nausheen Ali Sardar has yet again adorned a challenging role, this time as the elegant and sophisticated Chandrika Singh Chauhan. The character presents great scope for Nausheen to excel in the role. As the powerful and authoritative person of Chandrika, Nausheen is winning hearts.
In a candid and exclusive conversation with IWMBuzz.com, Nausheen talks us through the nuances of her character and speaks about her other passion in life.
Read on.
What prompted you to take up the show Vasudha?
For me to take up any role, the person and the channel making it, the strength in my role and the longevity of my character are important. I am very selective about whatever I have chosen. If you see my career graph, all my roles have been pivotal and character-centric. I was already in talks for another role for another channel for an important character. So I had to choose between Vasudha and the other role. The other Producer is my friend with whom I have worked earlier. It was very difficult for me to reject that offer and pick up Vasudha.
Also, I have been wanting to work with Zee TV, as I had not worked earlier with them. I felt that this show has a lot of depth and is not a straight saas-bahu drama. It is not a mother’s role or mother-in-law’s role. Vasudha is about Chandrika Singh Chauhan and Vasudha, and their journey from the start to the end will be about the two character differences. It is not a negative role. It is very interesting as it is not even a grey character. I am a big fan of Arvind Babbal Sir, he is an amazing TV show maker and film-maker.
How will you describe Chandrika Singh Chauhan?
Chandrika Singh Chauhan comes from a lot of struggles and experiences. She is a self-made billionaire, treated like the Queen of Udaipur. As you have seen, she is regal, and royal, does social work, helps the poor, makes sure that no injustice happens, is someone who stands for the right, and does not accept shortcuts. She does not discriminate between the rich and the poor, but at the same time, her family name is of the utmost priority. She is all about power and command.
Are there any traits in her that match with your real-life personality?
I am a 70 per cent match to Chandrika Singh Chauhan in terms of persona, upbringing and values. I have a child in me; as Nausheen, I am mischievous, happy meeting people and partying. As Nausheen, I am particular about time when it comes to discipline. If anyone observes me on the set, they tell me that in terms of persona, I am like Chandrika. The 30 per cent difference in me is exuberant and child-like. The common thing between me and Chandrika is in us being good human beings.
How do you choose the roles you want to accept considering that you have played significant characters in your career?
One thing that is important for me is whether the set is nearby. I hate going to Naigaon. I hate road travel. Even my last show with Balaji did not have any travel. Similarly, the show maker and its execution have to be good. Monies have to be decent. I need to know how pivotal my character is, that is how I select my role.
What is your driving force to follow your love for acting?
There have been moments where I have felt that I am going to quit the industry. I need that satisfaction as an actor to do the right roles. I don’t enjoy it when there is not much priority given to performance. So driving force is the satisfaction as a performer.
You have stayed away from the OTT rush. Why?
I have not stayed away from OTT. I am more about playing strong characters. Till now, I have not been offered powerful roles. In the future, I will do OTT and will take up strong characters.
A lot of experimental concepts on TV have not worked. What is your take on it?
I agree with you. We are all Indian at heart, very old school at heart. Till the time the heroine is not tortured, and she does not cry, the concept does not work. Even in Kkusum, when she was happy, TRP would drop and when she went through turmoils, the ratings saw a rise. People associate pains, and hardship with their own life. They get the strength when they see characters go through the pain and come out as a winner. They like this hope and treat it to be inspirational.
What are your personal expectations from this role?
I never expect anything from a role. I am spiritual in mind, body and soul. When you have expectations, there is scope for disappointment. So one should work hard and leave the rest to God.
What are the other passions that interest you?
I am also a voiceover artist, I do dubbing for international films, TV shows and South movies for character-centric roles. I cannot name them but I have given voice to a lot of top South and Hollywood actors. I am a hardcore believer in astrology. I study and practice astrology. I believe in Kundalis, planets and dashas. I intend to do a thorough professional course in astrology so that I learn more.