Making a foray with a Reel PAI'

One more pretty lady who who hails from the beautiful coastal city of Karnataka — Mangaluru is gearing up to make her debut on television. With hardly any experience in facing a camera, she has started from scratch, and had almost decided to quit her aspirations to act on the first day of the shoot of her debut teleserial Paaru. The debut show is set to go on air from December 3 on Zee Kannada and Zee HD channel at 9.30 pm. Actress Mokshitha Pai, says that her character Paarvathi, fondly referred to as Paaru is somewhat similar to her in real life. In an exclusive interview, the actress talks about how she started her journey as an actress and her aspirations.

“Though I hail from Mangaluru, I am a Bengalurean. I did most of my studies here, and am pursuing a career as an artiste. To be honest, apart from participating in extra-curricular activities during school and college, I had no prior experience facing the camera. I used to take part in skits etc. Theatre groups who would come to train aspiring talent in my college, would insist that I join them to learn the art. However, I could not pursue it then,” says Mokshitha Pai.

Landing the role of a female protagonist in Paaru, she explains that it was a common friend’s friend — Srividya, the wife of actor and producer Dileep Raj, that she got the role. 

“Until then, I had not taken up any project. I wanted to do something different. That was why I never reached out for the same ordinary role. Dileep Raj Sir, who had already auditioned more than 100, felt that I could do justice. It is he and Srividya Madam who helped me with the workshops to gain confidence,” she says, adding that she was still particular that she would not do the typical modern character, and was delighted after learning that the character was well suited to what she wanted.

The actress hopes to replicate that happenstance on the bigger screen as well, with more challenging and sensible roles. After the completion of her graduation from BMS College, Mokshitha had been busy taking classes, tutoring school children (Standard one to first year pre-university). “I love teaching. It all started small before it became my full-time profession. Now that I am busy with the show, it is my mother who is helping me out with the classes. A teacher has a special bond, and teaching the younger generation is very satisfying,” she adds.

A romantic tale, Paaru’s plot is a mix of a powerful mind-set and class-conflict between the two lead protagonists Akhilandeshwari, an enterprising woman portrayed by senior artiste Vinaya Prasad with a strong character, and Paarvathi (Paaru), a simple village girl who lives life to the fullest.

She had almost quit the show when she experienced difficulties on the first day of the shoot. “I was so scared. I took a lot of takes, and it made me feel as if I was wasting everyone’s time. I was feeling so low, but it was Srividya Madam and Vinaya Prasad Madam, who instilled faith in me. Vinaya Madam is an institution by herself and I am learning so much from her. She helped me learn how to perform in different situations,” she signs off.