"I was initially not going to do this role; but the script convinced me" - Aksha Pardasany on 'Rafuchakkar'

Post making a mark in the South entertainment industry for almost a decade, actor Aksha Pardasany's shift to the Hindi industry has been quite a shift indeed. Post making a couple of cameo appearances in Hindi films, Pardasany has managed to make a mark on the web circuit owing to her roles in shows like Jamtara - Sabka Number Ayega and Katmandu Connection. Now bagging another yet another big role in the upcoming web series, Rafuchakkar on Jio Cinema, the actor sat with us for a special conversation about multiple things. Right from talking about the biggest challenge she faced in her career so far, the boom of web circuit, her role in the show and other things.

Q. It is fascinating that you are just about 30+ years old and already have a career of over 15 years in the entertainment business. What has been the biggest challenge for you growing up in the industry and the one thing you learned that you will never forget?

There is no on thing that you particularly learn even after you have spent all these years in the industry. I don't want to tag myself as a veteran (laughs) because I am not but yes, when you have pretty much grown in the industry for all these years, you do learn a lot. I mean I was 16 when I did my first film and spent all these years being on-screen. As one grows up, they realise the realities of the industry where so many people are trying to teach you, trying to fill your ears and gradually you learn how to not pay attention to that. So yes, not one single thing of learning per se, but working your way and giving your best in what you do while being true to your work is more important that anything.

Q. It seems more obvious that web is pretty much giving you incredible acting opportunities and even fame with roles in Jamtara and Katmandu Connection and now in Rafuchakkar. What do you think is the reason for this boom and shift in the web scene?

Well, I guess COVID was one of the huge factors where OTT boomed multiple folds. Before that, we did see web shows here and there but owing to the pandemic, everyone was exposed to not just Indian content but global content and they started realising the craft, the storytelling a lot more. Hence now, you see more and more shows coming in and such amazing characters being written. Thus, this becomes a golden period for not just actors, but writers, directors and technicians everywhere where there is work in abundance. I also feel so fortunate to have landed great roles in Jamtara on Netflix and now, Sharuya Chautala in Rafuchakkar on JioCinema. It is indeed a great time to keep working.

Q. The glimpse of you playing a cop, who is probably on the chase for Maniesh Paul's character is intriguing. Please tell us more about it.

To be super honest, I was initially not going to do this role! Because, I had just done Jamtara, where I also played a cop and hence I felt that playing a cop again might not be the best idea. It is very easy to get stereotyped when a particular character works and then you get similar things. So, I wasn't keen on it. But when I came to know it is Jio Studios' project and then I read the script, I realised that even though she is a cop, the graph and the character overall is drastically different from the one in Jamtara. Dolly Sahu is so proper and affirmative about things while Shaurya Chautala in Rafuchakkar is sarcastic, badass and a go-getter. Thus, I felt a lot more convinced and signed on to play this role. Even when you see it, you will realise how entirely different it is from any character I have played.

Rafuchakkar is all set to premiere on JioCinema 15th June 2023 onwards.