Priya Splitsvilla 4 Shinde, who is playing mother to two teenagers in Zee TV show, Tujhse Hai Raabta, accepts that at first it was not easy essaying a mom on screen. “I was questioned a lot about the same. My main issue was that the kids were taller than me. I had even complained about the casting. But then gradually I got used to it, thanks to my director and creative. I am also not the one who shies away from a challenge.”
Priya also says, “Being a Maharashtrian, the research team rushes to me for guidance regarding depiction of local culture and customs in this Maharashtra-based narrative. Other major stars of this Sonali Jaffar production are also Marathi, i.e. Savita Prabhune and Poorva Gokhale.”
“I am sure Tujhse will be my gamechanger, for I am getting to do a lot (both positive and negative), with a slight comic touch. The biggest plus for us is that we are now doing well on the ratings front. So fingers crossed; we should easily stay around for the next one or two years,” says Priya, who has also done Nagin, Hamari Saas Leela, etc.
Talking about winning Splitsvsilla 4, this Pune-born admits that she was not in a relationship with her co-contestant, Dushyant Yadav. “We both were seeing someone else, hence knew that we were together just to win and did what was required in the tasks. Even now, he is a good friend and stays in touch.”
“Having said that, let me be very clear that the show was not rigged. We had no idea what would happen next. My heart would always pump very hard when dumpings (eliminations) were about to happen.”
Interestingly, at a time when most actors would love to try their hand at web, Priya still bats for TV. “Agreed, web shows have more interesting stories; but let’s face it, they still have limited reach and budgets, compared to the small screen. Also, being a married woman, I will not be cut out for very bold roles, which seem to dominate the digital landscape.”
Best of luck, Priya!!
