After recently being part of a sci-fi film, Sarabha, actress Mishti will be next seen in a period drama, Manikarnika — The Queen of Jhansi, starring Kangana Ranaut. The actress will be seen in the role of Kashi Bhai, Manikarnika’s dearest friend.
Apparently, Mishti was initially hesitant to come on board since it was not the lead role. “It was then the film’s producer Kamal Jain explained me the significance and scope the character has in the narrative, and I was completely convinced”, Mishti reveals, adding, “I have heard a lot about director Krish and I always wanted to be a part of his films. In fact, I was told that it was director Krish who has sent my photograph to the producer as a reference to the character, Kashi Bhai. I felt very pleased.”
Describing the experience of working for Manikarnika as an ‘emotional journey’, Mishti states, “The characters in this period drama are so real that it will transport you back to those times and era. I grew up listening to Lakshmi Bhai’s stories and her heroics, and imagined a world within. So getting to work in such a film is like reliving my childhood memories.”
Apparently, Kashi Bhai was not just part of Lakshmi Bhai’s army, but was also her emotional support. “I play Kashi Bhai (not to be confused with the character of Bajirao Mastani), Lakshmi Bhai’s childhood friend, and one of the trusted people around her. Kashi was like a sister to Lakshmi. Even though she belongs to an elite family, she had to give up her comforts to be with her best friend, Lakshmi Bhai.”
Admitting that it was challenging and taxing prepping up for her part, Mishti says, “The role required me to do sword-fighting and horse riding. But since I did not get time to practice, I had to learn everything on the sets. I used to come to the sets a couple of hours before and get trained. Krish too motivated me a lot and his words gave me immense strength to excel.”
Mishti describes Kangana as a ‘cool co-star’, and adds, “She is competitive too. I have a lot to learn from her. But ever since she stepped into the shoes of director, we began to bond even more and that’s when I came to know better about her. She used to crack jokes as well.”
