Megha Ray the talented young actor who recently joined the Zee TV show Apna Time Bhi Aayega is an exceptional performer, and has proved it quite soon in her career.
Megha who played an author-backed role in Dil Yeh Ziddi Hai portrays the strong-headed protagonist in the Zee show, Apna Time Bhi Aayega.
Talking about her introduction in the show and much more, here is Megha Ray in an exclusive chat.
Excerpts:
Dil Yeh Ziddi Hai was not a normal role for a start. And to back it up, Apna Time Bhi Aayega is another powerful role. Tell us about the good starts that you have had in your career?
Dil Yeh Ziddi Hai was my first show and yes, it was not a normal role. The whole idea of Kajal Vyas losing her eyesight gradually, and for the fact that being aware of it, it was a very beautiful journey that I was pursuing as an actor. It helped me to explore myself as an artist to a great extent.
Now in my second show, Apna Time Bhi Aayega, I am playing Rani which is a character I have never been approached for before. I had time to prepare for my earlier character. But with Rani, it was a surprise. I did not know I was replacing someone till the last minute. To be honest, I was confirmed the night prior to my shoot. So there was not even a day to prepare. This was already a challenge as the role was strong. I needed to have the body language and accent. Rani is a girl from a small town, longing to become an engineer. I think as an artist, I love such challenges that push me beyond my boundaries and help me test myself. Definitely, Rani is a character that is going to help me greatly as an actor. I am definitely enjoying the character a lot. I have a fresh take towards it and am excited.
Have you watched Apna Time Bhi Aayega and followed Anushka Sen?
As I said, I did not get enough time to prepare myself for the role. But in the minimal time I got, I did watch a couple of initial episodes to get an idea of the characters, on the tone of the show etc. However, I did not want to burden myself with the idea of replicating someone’s work, albeit they have done a great job. But I wanted to play it my way. I really feel that every artist has an original way of expressing a character. I went ahead with my take based on the brief I had gotten.
How do you approach the role now?
For me, Rani is way different from what I am. It was very challenging initially to even pick the tone and accent and body language. But now, the whole essence of Rani is her innocence, her love for her Bauji, and her passion to become an engineer. She is very different.
What is your forte as an actor when it comes to genres of comedy, drama, emotion?
Honestly speaking, I have never explored comedy before in my life. This is literally the first time. I am really blessed to have a Director like Vaibhav Sir and amazing Writers and Producers. Lines are so beautifully written that it motivates the actor in me. I am really excited to explore the genre of comedy here for the first time.
How is it working with Fahmaan Khan?
I have to say, right from my first day, I did not feel that I was working with someone new. He is an amazing person and an actor. He made me feel really comfortable from the first day. We really enjoy working together. We have got good response from viewers and that’s helping us a lot. The equation that we have developed, and the give and take that goes about while shooting is very much visible onscreen.
How do you think TV industry brings out the caliber in youngsters like you?
I really do not like it when people categorize actors to be from the TV field or somewhere else. I think an actor is an actor. To be honest, the kind of challenges that we get to face in TV industry is way more difficult. You do not get time to prepare your lines. You get to do so many lines in a day, you have to do so many scenes in a day, at the same time you have to still look good. You have to take care of yourself too. It is certainly a challenging task and it is shaping me well.
What is the kind of genre you are comfortable with?
I am never comfortable to be honest. The day I become comfortable, it is not going to work for me. I like the discomfort that comes with the job. As an artist, acting is really not as easy as it looks. I am a dancer too. Acting is the most difficult form of art. You have to live a life that does not really exist, but in a sense which exists too.
Tell us about the memorable interactions on set, especially with the senior actors?
I am the only new actor around on the set. I was very excited to see such established actors around. I am very thrilled to have this opportunity of working with Tanaaz Maam. I have been watching her for long now. I have been a huge fan of hers. Everyone in the cast gave me a wonderful welcome. I am lucky to have got a beautiful cast working with me.
What are your preset goals as an actor?
I have only one thing in my mind. I am a person who will not care beyond the character’s requirement about my look. I am not a person who is here to seek stardom. All I want is to become better at my craft. Doing justice to a character is all that I want. I will do whatever it takes to achieve that.
Do you have a dream role in mind?
Oh, I have a lot of them. I have not explored very serious genres like action, suspense. I will like to play a detective, a psychotic negative character, or even a super hero some day.
What are your expectations from this lead role?
It is about doing complete justice to the character. What I love about Rani is that she is not a typical daily soap bahu. She has a spark and style of her own. Her innocence and sincerity are her trademark attributes. Rani is going to bring out the child in me. It already has started to, and there is no bigger pleasure that can be derived from a role. So my expectations are already fulfilled.
