I am relieved of the contract with Swastik Pictures'-Sulagna Panigrahi

Sulagna Panigrahi, the very graceful Dhara of Amber Dhara fame was bound by a contract with Swastik Pictures, makers of the above-mentioned Sony show which did not allow her to take up new offers.

Recollecting the meaty offers she got, the actress laments, "I got a call for the lead roles in Kitani Mohabbat Hai, Mohe Rang De and even Shakuntala. In fact, Rajan Shahi ji called me and said that he wants to take me as the female lead in his new show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. He was so keen on taking me for the role that he did not even want me to audition. But unfortunately, I could not take up any offer as I was bound by the Swastik contract till August this year".

However, Swastik Pictures had offered her the role of the female lead for their upcoming venture on Zee, Gauna which has now been renamed as 'Agli Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Ki Jo'. "Vikas Seth and Siddharth Tewary of Swastik Pictures were really kind and pushed hard with the channel to accept me as the lead. But the channel felt that I did not suit well with the character. It would have been great, if the channel had agreed; I had trained a lot under Swastik for my role in Amber Dhara, and would have again put my heart and soul into the character to look perfect for this role", quips Sulagna.

Talking about Vikas and Siddharth, the actress states "They were really sweet in paying me all this while. They tried their level best to fit me into the character, but the channel took the final call. Anyway no regrets there, but I now miss the offers I had to let go then. In fact, the day I got Rajan ji's call, I had called Vikas to relieve me of the contract, as I really wanted to take this offer. But things could not materialize then".

But why was she not chosen as the lead in Swastik's other new show on REAL TV, Hindi Hai Hum? "Well, I can say that the lead girl there is typically like me, the very bubbly and easy-going types. But they wanted a girl who has dimples falling on her chin, and I did not want to go thro' a surgery, just for a role (laughs)".

So what lies ahead for Sulagna? "Well, after going thro' all this, I want to declare to the world that I have come out of the contract with Swastik Pictures now (grins). They were kind enough to let me go off it, even before the contract could terminate in August. Now I am free to taking up new offers. But I don't want to be in a hurry and grab something quickly", verbalizes the charming actress.

"I got ultimate satisfaction being part of a project like Amber Dhara. Now I want an equally good show which will make me jump off my chair", ends Sulagna.

Reporter and Author: Srividya Rajesh