Shagun Pandey the talented youngster who plays an important role in Zee TV’s popular show Tujhse Hai Raabta produced by Full House Media is happy and excited with the response he has been getting for his off-beat avatar of a transgender in the show.
Shagun who was earlier seen as the angry young man went on to play the role of a guy who behaved like a little child. And now, Shagun has given himself yet another opportunity at exploring his versatility with this transgender role of Mastaani.
Says Shagun, “Sonali Jaffer Mam gave this huge responsibility to me, and asked me if I am ready to take it up. Though I was apprehensive in the beginning, I challenged myself to do a good job in the role. This has been a learning experience for me as I have gone through a lot during my prep phase for the character.”
Shagun is inspired by Sharad Kelkar’s transgender role in the coming movie Laxmmi Bomb. “I got to talk to Sharad Sir who motivated me to take up the role. As per him, I had to be as graceful as possible in the role. I also met and sought advice from Milind Pathakji, K.C. Shankar, and even Laxmi Mam. It has been an experience worth taking.”
Shagun feels really upset with the way transgenders get treated in society. “There has to come a day when they will be equal to all. They are not given the freedom of expression and they are deprived of many things by the society they live in. Hence they appear to be aggressive in body language. Their feminine side we must know, showers love on one and all. I have met many transgenders who had their sorry tale to tell. They have been abused, discriminated and put down badly by people. It is the normal human being who brings in this differentiation.”
Talking about the efforts put in for his dressing, Shagun states, “My look test was a big process wherein I had to go through many sittings to finalize my look. I am quite stressed up as a person and do not get sleep at night, and all I think about is Mastaani and her mannerisms. There have been days when I have reached the set as early as 3 in the morning for a 9 am shift. Though it has been stressful, the journey has been really an enriching one. The dialogues given for Mastaani are powerful. I have played the character with utmost grace and seen to it that she always reacts to situations in a sophisticated manner.”
“I am grateful to Sonali Mam for offering me many layers in my stint with Tujhse Hai Raabta. I am in a happy space as an actor.”
Wish you all the luck, Shagun!!
