Not many know that Vivana, who is TV’s most famous vamp currently as Sarika with the serial Ajeeb Dastaan, debuted in films with Mahaakshay Chakraborty, Mithun Chakraborty’s son.
“Look, I believe in destiny; things had to work in my favour now and I am very happy that I am doing well on the small box. I do not regret any -thing in life. Yes I did not get any offers after I made my debut in Jimmy opposite Mahaakshay. I guess it was because I had to shine with Ajeeb Dastaan...!” says a happy Vivana.
Talking about her role in the serial Vivana says, “I am happy to have been picked by Ekta Kapoor for this role. It is a performance-oriented role and Ekta told me that I would have to act naturally and appear real as my character would go a long way. I was informed that my character’s negative side would show up after I had played a positive housewife for a while.
A little psychotic touch was also to be included in my character. I was told very clearly not to be a typical villainous and obnoxious kind of a character; I was to be simple yet effective. I followed instructions like not to lift my eyebrows to convey something negative. My school and college mates are wowed by my performance.”
Sharing what her parents say, the actress says, “My father, while appreciating my performance tells me that I surprise him with every scene! My mother keeps saying, ‘Yeh sab kya kar rahi ho? Kya humne tumhe aisa karna seekhaya tha? Tumhe kisi ki peeth par khanjar marna toh nahi seekhaya humne!’ I consider her comments a compliment to the effectiveness of my performance!
“I have played a goddess in Mahabharata. But performing a negative character is way more challenging and difficult.” Talking about her life and her aspirations, Vivana says, “I studied in Musoorie School and my dad works with the police force. I have been living in Mumbai for six to seven years now. I am happy that I have finally been successful. It does not matter that my recognition is through television. At the moment I am happy and feel that this fantastic break from Balaji is equivalent to getting a role from the Yash Raj banner!”
Moving on to Sarika’s smart casual look in the show, her designer Nirusha says, “We decided not to give her a loud Punjabi look. Initially we gave her salwar kameez sets. Later we decided to dress her in jeans and tops, like today’s modern women. Villains no longer wear blood leather jackets and long boots after all! Her hairstyle was kept very natural, retaining her lovely long hair.”
Talking about the show’s next track and what he had in mind for Vivana’s character, the show’s director Santram says, “Vivana was told to play a psychotic character. She plays today’s girl who can go to any extent to fulfill her wish. She had to give the evil vibe yet not play the typical vamp. We wanted this character to stand out among other characters. After she kills her husband she plans to get back with her ex-boyfriend Apoorva Agnihotri and now she will be trying her best to reunite her sister-in-law Shobha (Sonali Bendre) with her brother Samarth, so that her ex, who is in love with Shobha will come back to her.
This is the track going ahead.” He also adds, “Sarika’s character has become very important. This was decided at the initial stage itself. We will try to showcase more of her madness. Her character enables us to make the plot more intriguing.”
