Pragya, played by Sriti Jha in Kumkum Bhagya has recently had a makeover. In the recent track change of the story, an emancipated Pragya has come out of her shell and is wielding the proverbial whip, making others suffer for a change. In conversation with DC, Sriti talks about the character’s makeover and the feedback she has been getting for the same.
“I love the new track,” says Sriti. “My character has become very interesting and there’s so much more to have fun with. The new graph of my character is most interesting as it gives me ample scope to showcase a new range of emotions.”
The shy, spectacled bookworm is gone, to be replaced by a glamorous and stylish Pragya with loads of attitude to boot. And most people are loving the new Pragya. Talking about audience reaction to the authoritative Pragya, Sriti says, “Thankfully the change has been received positively and most people are liking it. Although a few miss the old Pragya.”
Asked whether Pragya will continue to remain strong or will revert to her meek avatar, Sriti retorts, “Pragya has always been strong. Having said that, she’ll remain the way she is till her purpose is served.”
The show has taken a 20-day leap, to make way for the new and improved Pragya. But will we now see her bonding with her on-screen husband Abhi? The answer we get is a tad philosophical. “Well there’s been an unspoken bond between Abhi and Pragya since the first time they met. Despite the obstacles, the story continuously provides glimpses of this bond. To know when they will they come together for good is something that we’ll have to wait and watch,” says Sriti.
She adds that it’s a whole lot of fun on the sets. “The whole team is an absolute fun gang. I bond most with Shabir, Arjit and Charu. Shabir is my best co-actor ever.” The actress also says that in real life, she is not that different from Pragya – the new avatar. “I am quite no-nonsense myself,” she says. Currently Kumkum Bhagya takes up all of Pragya’s energies and she says that she does not have the time for other shows, commercials etc.
And her career graph on TV has been nothing short of envious. She has been consistently getting lead roles in one show after the other. According to her there’s no magic formula, only lots of learning, and a little luck. “I have been fortunate to have worked with immensely talented writers and directors who have had faith in me. There’s been very little hard work but a lot of learning. I have learnt from each of my characters and I think that’s rather amazing.”
Asked how she landed her first role in TV, she says, “I auditioned for my first show in Delhi and got through. There’s no fancy story around it sadly.” And something that affects every actor is the gap between two shows. Does she get nervous during this time? Replying in the negative, she says, “There’s generally a couple of months’ gap between shows. And I am rather glad it’s been that way because I am a workaholic.”
How has she steered clear of the trap of playing a much older character, which many actors of her generation are succumbing to? “It hasn’t been my intention of not playing an older character. It just hasn’t happened...,” she says. Last but not the least, when we ask whether she is seeing someone, Sriti says cheekily, “I answer that question only to my family and friends.”
