TV’s very own Rajnikanth

Ridhima Pandit, the rising diva of the television, shot to fame with her debut serial ‘Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant’. She is portraying the role of a robot named R.A.J.I.N.I (Randomly Accessible Job Network Interface) in the show and has garnered accolades for the same. The debutante talks about her show and her role.

You play a robot in the show. How is the experience?
It’s entertaining and different. I follow commands. It’s a lot of fun. Many people think its monotone and they also feel that I really became a robot in real life. I also think I’m living a life of a robot in real (giggles). Recently, I went to a restaurant and I turned to my left to order coffee in such a robotic style and I did that because I was so used to it. At the same time, it’s challenging too. Every day I should speak differently and show it on screen.

Did you always aspire to become an actor?
As long as I remember I wanted to be an actor when I was around 6-7 years old. I really wanted to act and I ensured that I participated in all skits in school. Later, I started doing ads. I did that for two years. I was tired of doing ads and wanted to do different roles so I chose the best medium for that – television.

Are your parents comfortable with your profession?
Initially, I assumed that they wouldn’t be ok with my profession. That’s how I wasted a lot of time. I couldn’t start acting when I was 18 years or so because I assumed that they will not approve my choice. That was a mistake I made. All I needed was one conversation with them and tell “I really want to act.” When I conversed with them they simply said, “Of course, you can act. Who stopped you?”

How are you handling the overnight stardom?
It definitely feels great. I never expected such quick fame, recognition and the love. I am truly overwhelmed with a number of messages I am receiving on social media from all over the world. My parents are proud of me. Overnight I have a lot of fan following, fan pages dedicated to me.

This just proves it all over again that television’s reach is absolutely outstanding. It has straight got me lodged in every viewer’s heart as their Rajni. I feel happy that I made the right choice. It just motivates me to work harder and give my best. It’s a lovely feeling. From a fan to celebrity having fans is something that I never expected.

The idea of the show is quite similar to the concept of American popular sitcom ‘Small Wonder’; do you think the subject is relatable?
To tell you honestly, the basic notion may match. ‘Small Wonder’ is all about a kid, but here it is ideal daughter-in-law. If you look at Indian television, you don’t see such stuff and I can proudly say that this is something refreshing.

If I were a viewer of this show rather than acting in it, I think, I would have loved every minute of the show. This content is clean and the scenes are so nicely written and they are so funny that, people are liking the show a lot and I have not received a single negative comment on social media till date. A lot of people were saying “Please don’t get any supernatural in the show; we like it the way it is. Don’t start to make it melodramatic, it’s comedy and fun”.

What was your reaction when you read the story for the first time?
I found it super-challenging. I was like “wow”. Honestly, I couldn’t get the tone. I was puzzled because I was only thinking about one thing that is how they want to me to speak, walk and act as I am a robot in the show? My make-up artists, writers and directors all supported me a lot in portraying me as a robot. Then after we started filming, it taught me a lot of patience. It helped me to see everything in clear perspective. For Rajni, everything is white or black. Nothing is grey. Most importantly she follows, “Practice what you preach.”

How is it working with Karan V Grover?
Oh, it’s fabulous! We get along like a house on fire. I also respect him a lot, he refines my performance as a co-actor by giving out some valuable tips during filming the scenes. He is a very warm person everyone can vouch for the same on set. He and I share the same zodiac sign and we are very similar in many ways hence, it’s always great to have a co-star whose wavelength matches yours. Besides he has got me hooked on to healthy eating habits, etc. I always tell him that I am happy to have him as my first hero.

By:Abhyudaya Karamchetu