'It was a painful decision that I took' - Natasha Sharma

How is your life after Laado?
Life has almost been the same for me, apart from the fact that I am getting a lot of free time for myself. I got time to spend time with my family in Delhi; I went to Jaipur to meet my sister. It was a time of vacation and to rejuvenate myself and to make myself ready for another show.

Explain to us the journey you had as Sia?
The journey had been lovely wherein I learnt a lot and made great friends with whom I have a great relation even today. The show is really close to my heart as Laado was my first show and the concept was so gripping and different, that when the channel approached me, I couldn't say no to it. I have learnt a lot from my co-actors, directors and producers and also from the others members of the crew.

You were  associated with several senior actors in the show; how was that experience?
The show was indeed a learning experience and I have a very close relation with the members of the crew. My friends usually ask me whether I have a rough relation with Meghna Malik, like in the show. But then I make it clear that she is a sweetheart and we both are great friends off camera. I have heard that daily soaps are a hub of people with different attitudes and they speak behind you; but our show had a crew that was really helpful and understanding with zero ego and attitude.

What were the challenges you felt while portraying Sia?
The role and the show were indeed challenging right from the beginning till the end. Sia had a rebellious character, always standing for the rights of women and  the outspoken. But once she got married, there had been a change in the role because she was isolated from her in-laws and was treated like a servant. There have been role changes in the same show.

Was it a tough decision that you took of leaving the show?
It was really a painful decision for me to quit the show because the show was a debut wherein I was there since the beginning and was emotionally attached to it. I remember having an outdoor shoot in Rajasthan and people came and left the sets after the shoot. But I was there throughout. But then I felt that it is better to quit than doing something that was not satisfying.

Was leap the only reason for you leaving the show?
Yes

Have you followed the show after leap?
No, but my friends give me updates regarding the show.

Your chemistry with Aditya Redij has been very popular in the show; will we see you together again?
I know people want to see us together because they are used to seeing us together. Now, I am a little apprehensive whenever I get new offers because of this (smiles).  

How do you relate yourself to Sia?
I always speak up for the rights of women and I really get upset and angry whenever people draw lines between girls and boys.

What are your plans as of now?
There are shows that are there in the pipeline but I haven't committed to any of those. Since the role I did was very serious and heavy, I want to do something light and not so serious.

How has the association been with Colors?
The channel has been really great and I am really happy that the channel had the trust in me to do the role.

Who are you in touch with from the show?
I am in touch with all of them and I call most of them even now.

How has the show helped you grow as an actor?
The show has helped me a lot to improve myself as an actor. I can really see the difference in my acting when I compare myself at the beginning of the show and when I left.  

What would you like to say to your fans who are missing you a lot after you quit the show?
I would like to say that I will be back again on television with another show.

Reporter and Author: Saranya Valsarajan