Heading in right direction: Riddhi Dogra

Riddhi Dogra, shot to fame with the role Savitri in the show ‘Savitri’, is currently working working on Zee TVs ‘Woh Apna Sa’. In a conversation she speaks about her career and show.

Excerpts

How was it when you faced the camera for the first time?
The first time I faced the camera was for Doordarshan. I remember we were disciplined and were in uniforms as we were representing our school. But professionally it was for a promo of Zoom TV. I was very comfortable in front of the camera and I loved the experience. I still have that video and when I watched it I can’t believe that I was so comfortable in the first go.

Before acting, you were a co-producer of the show, tell us about the transition.
As a co-producer for the channel I had to run around, execute stuff and get people together. I did a reality show for Femina Miss India; we had a show on Zoom TV called ‘Banoongi Mein Miss India’. I have learned a lot from that show. My time behind the camera still helps me because I have a broader perspective of the craft.

Which show is close to your heart?
I think every show that I have done has been very special to me. But ‘Maryada’ was the most special show I was lucky to work with a team, which was passionate and was giving it their all and I remember they told all the actors that they have to unlearn what they learnt and from there we acted naturally. Another show that has been a good experience was ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’; it was a very important show and helped me evolve as a person and it pushed me to learn a lot of things about myself.

You are married to an actor, what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages are plenty like you understand each other, it's very easy to understand the ups and downs of the profession, but I guess it's true for all the couples; they tend to understand each other's profession. For actors, there's one thing that you don't have to explain each other that it is done like this or that. You can be each other's confidante and help each other make a decision.

Tell us about your show ‘Woh Apna Sa’.
As an actor I would want to do things that would scare me, I want to do good work and my character should be difficult for me and that's exactly what ‘Woh Apna Sa’ has given me. I am playing a grey character and I am trying to not make it look grey in the typical television way.

What are your career goals?
To do great and interesting work that gives me the joy of acting. I want to be on big screen. I want to write, produce and I think I would be able to direct. I would like to do everything and to completely involve myself in the craft I am passionate about. I want to do everything that I can as an individual because it's exciting.

Are you superstitious?
I am not at all superstitious, but the only thing I do when I step out of my house is I step out with my right foot and I tell Raqesh (husband) to do the same. This is something that my mother told me and it stayed with me. I am left-handed and I don't think that there's anything wrong stepping out with the left foot. But it is like taking the right step. I am a religious and spiritual person and I don't believe in idol worship.