I want to experiment and explore myself

Aneri Vajani, who garnered popularity with ‘Nisha Aur Uske Cousins’ with her tomboy character, is now portraying the role of a lawyer in the show ‘Beyhadh’. The actor is already being loved and appreciated by one and all for her performance. In a tête-à-tête she talks about her character, bonding with co-stars and more…

When did the acting bug bite you?
It dates back to my school days. I was watching a theatre play in school and I felt that I could do better than the girl, who was in the lead role and I told that to my teacher. She asked me to show how I was better and I ended up replacing that girl in the lead role.

What intrigued you to choose ‘Beyhadh’?
I picked it up because Saanjh is a lawyer. Her USP is her smile and innocence. But the moment Arjun goes away from Saanjh’s life, she becomes very serious in her life. And I don’t want to portray any tomboy roles anymore. So I thought this role would help me to break my previous image and create a new one.

Why did you take a break post ‘Nisha Aur Uske Cousins’?
Whatever I was getting offered were very saas-bahu roles. I didn’t want to portray a role of daughter-in-law then at the age of 23 so I took a break. Now, I want to experiment and explore myself. I love to do roles according to my age.

You always portray rebellious characters. Why?
I always wanted to be a hero. I don’t want play damsel in distress kind of roles. I’m happy playing a strong character.

You played the lead role in 'Nisha...' and now you playing the second lead in the ongoing show, why?
I’m not a second lead in the show. My character is as important as Kushal's and Jennifer's. And this was made clear to me by Danish Khan Sir on day one itself. He said: ‘If you're feeling that you are the second or third lead, etc, that is not the case’.

Without Saanjh, Arjun and Maya can’t exist. Everyone has been given equal footage and equal importance. Saanjh’s role has many layers. Her character is building up now and it will take some time for that. It is 260 episode series, which shows how a cute, sweet and innocent girl next door becomes a lawyer and fights for her love.

How is it working with Jennifer?
With Jennifer, I had only shot a day of work initially. However, recently we had an outdoor schedule together and we have become sisters now. She treats me like her younger sister and is so protective and loving. We share a good bond. We don’t have any cat fights and ego issues.

How is your chemistry with Kushal?
We don’t share any ego issues here. Of course, he is elder to me but Kushal told me that I give him a very positive and good vibe and vice versa. Kushal makes me comfortable. Even Taher Shabbir my previous show co-star was good. For me, the vibe I get from a person is very important. If I am not getting a good feeling, I get up and leave, no matter what. Yes, initially I was a bit sceptical about Kushal; in fact, I told him that on the first day of the shoot.

Given a chance what role would you have preferred – Maya or Saanjh?
Honestly, I would have preferred Saanjh. Because, if you have followed ‘Nisha...', there were minor shades of Maya's character like her ego, boldness, straight forward attitude, etc, These qualities are in Nisha too. Nisha was kind of Maya. If I do Maya people will think that I’m paying Nisha part 2 and maybe I would have felt the same. I preferred Saanjh to add my own flavour.

What kind of roles do you want to do?
I want play a deaf-and-mute role; I would love to do the psychopathic character. However, amidst all of this, one character that I would love to repeat is the tomboy role. I was absolutely in love with that character. I liked it mostly because I didn't have to do makeup for the role (laughs).