Well-known TV vamp, Tasnim Sheikh, who had returned to the tube after a long family break with &TV show Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi, is very excited about her latest Colors show. She is playing the main negative in Dastaan-E-Mohabbat – Salim Anarkali (Anirudh Pathak production).
“This is my first historical and I love the grand scale. There is a big difference in essaying a historic baddie and playing negative in a daily drama. The former has to operate within her limitations. Having said that, Begum Ruqaiya wields a lot of power, pulling strings and controlling vassals, but from behind the curtains and by eyebrow movements only. She is a fearless lady, for whom, only her dreams matter,” says Tasnim, who has earlier acted in Kkusum, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kumkum and several films.
When asked what new this love story of Salim Anarkali would throw up that has not been shown already by the big-screen saga, (Mughal-e-Azam), she says, “We all know that Salim (Shaheer Sheikh) went against his powerful and hot-headed emperor father’s wishes to fall in love with a mere bonded servant (Kaneez), and ended up becoming an alcoholic, courtesy the three hour film. But do we know what and why it happened, and who was actually pulling strings, hidden from public eyes. All this will come out in great detail and style. You can regard our show as a Wikipedia on that era.”
Sonarika Bhadoria essays the role of Anarkali, while Shahbaaz Khan is Jalaluddin Akbar.
“You also need to appreciate that we are talking about the Mughal era and not today, where a rich man-poor woman affair might finally get acceptance. Back then, this was simply off the books. Imagine the future empress of India coming from such a humble background,” she adds.
Tasnim enjoys wearing those beautiful and regal costumes. “Just adorning them is enough to get into my negative and snooty character.”
In closing, Tasnim says that since she has a family now, she can’t work the normal twelve-hour shift. “I had a clear contract with my dear friend, Nivedita Basu, for Ek Vivaah, saying that I will shoot for fewer hours. The same terms and conditions apply here as well. I am not desperate to work. I am here only because of the love for my craft. So I will only associate with those who are comfortable with my arrangements.”
Have a great journey with this one, Tasnim!!