Shivangi Joshi, who plays Poonam in the show Begusarai, opens up about playing the timid wife who has to put up with her psychotic husband’s torture and about how she will soon stand up for herself. “This character in Begusurai is very challenging,” says Shivangi, adding, “I am just the opposite of Poonam, I am very outspoken. I can never tolerate such nonsense from anyone, even a husband.
“I am a person who will stand up and fight for her right. I followed Manisha Koirala in Lajja. I was inspired with the way she enacted her role of a suppressed wife who takes on her powerful husband.” Confirming that her character will change soon, Shivangi she says, “She will stand up and fight for her rights hereafter… I am very happy and I am looking forward to this change.”
Like, her, will her on-screen hubby change for the better too at some point? “That I don’t know. May be he will, may be he won’t,” says the actress. “My parents, friends and relatives are also proud of my work,” says the girl from Dehradun, adding, “My mother is very happy as she is getting to see. She feels that I am doing a good job. “I am hoping that Poonam changes soon, so that I can act like myself,” she says, adding that she is not sure whether her characters psychotic husband will also undergo a change or not.
Off screen, however, she is good friends with Vishal Aditya Singh who plays Lakhan, her reel husband. “During breaks we chat a lot. Everyone in the show are my friends. Vishal and I bond very well… He is a polite person unlike his character.” Asked whether something was brewing between the two, she laughs and says,
“No, there is nothing... I am single and I am concentrating on my work presently.” “Before coming to Mumbai, for seven to eight years I was busy participating in dance competitions all over India. I love dancing and I love to talk, you can call me a chatterbox,” she laughs.
Talking about her past, she adds, “I was like a tomboy. I would love to ride motorbikes, also climb trees. I would also often go on mountaineering trips to Shimla and Mussoorie.” The actress is also in taekwondo and has won gold medals in competitions! Poor Laakhan won’t know what hit him, if Shivangi takes over from Poonam in the show. And when she gets some free time to herself, the actress loves reading romantic fiction and going shopping.
Though acting is her passion and priority at present, Shivangi wants to go back to college at some point. “I have to complete my graduation. I have taken a year’s break (from studies). I know studies are a must and my parents too are keen that I complete my education.” And like most TV actors, she is interested in Bollywood too. She admits that she wants to work towards a career in films.
