GHKKPM's Kaveri Priyam shares why she relates to Ashika’s storyline: 'When a woman is not happy…'

Kaveri Priyam, who portrays Ashika in Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, shares an exclusive conversation with India Forums, discussing her journey, the makers' decision to introduce a leap, insights into her character, and more.

I feel that the TRP was increasing when Ashika's track was ongoing

- Kaveri Priyam

You have been part of this journey, and now the show is set to take a leap soon. How would you sum up your journey so far?

It was an amazing experience to be a part of such a famous, so loved television show, and I was very grateful to all the makers and producers for having cast me for this role. Luckily, Ashika turned out to be a very good character where I really enjoyed playing her, exploring all her shades. Even though the show is coming to an end, there's still a lot of scope to explore in the character.

I believed in Ashika's journey and tried to make it as real and as believable as possible

- Kaveri Priyam

When you heard about the leap, what was your initial reaction? Were you prepared for this development since the news of the leap was already circulating widely? So, were you aware of it beforehand?

I was not aware, nor had this thought ever crossed my mind because this show is already very long-running, and it was doing pretty well; it wasn't doing bad. So, it came as a surprise. Although there were news floating around, I didn't pay attention, thinking it must just be rumours. But when the makers actually broke the news, I was quite surprised and wasn't ready to believe it. However, I had to take it with a pinch of salt because everything that begins has to end someday. I thought, okay, if this journey is short, then something else will come up.

Just like you, Kaveri, even we were shocked when this news came. As an audience, we wanted to watch you. What do you think led to the decision of introducing the leap? Was it due to declining TRPs or audience feedback about a similar storyline?

I think I am nobody to comment on that. It's the makers' decision, and people sitting up there are trying to make things work out, so it's their call. However, I feel that the TRP was increasing when Ashika's track was ongoing. Of course, TRPs go up and down; it's part of the journey of any television show. Ultimately, I have no clue about what led to the makers taking such a big decision.

Ashika turned out to be a very good character where I really enjoyed playing her

-

Coming to your character, Ashika has grey shades, and typically, such characters receive mixed reactions from the audience. However, Ashika has been widely loved, with viewers rooting for her to get justice for what Arsh did to her. How does that make you feel?

It makes me feel that somewhere, I have done justice to whatever was given to me. As an actor, I believe that even a grey-shaded or negative character has a journey. Every character is coming from a point of view—something bad must have happened to them. I believed in Ashika's journey and tried to make it as real and as believable as possible, and I think that's what connected with the audience.

Ashika's story showcased her flaws, like cheating on her husband. Yet, her love for Arsh and the future she envisioned with him is evident. How has the audience responded to this? Have viewers ever expressed that they relate to this, especially Gen Z, given their experiences with heartbreak?

Actually, I don't know whether the audience related to this storyline or not, but I really related to it. I feel that every time a woman has to sacrifice in a marriage in which she is unhappy, whatever could be the cause. When a woman is not happy, which means she is unhappy and, there are two options given to her either continue being with the same person or, in the process you tend to like someone else or you tend to fall for someone else and things are not working out between your partner, then it's your decision to come out of that relationship and start your life afresh.

So, Ashika was someone who decided to come out of her unhappy marriage, and not that as Kaveri I would have taken the same decision, but Ashika as a character, she took the decison.

Rather than being in an unhappy marriage, she did not give up on her dreams and ambitions and thought that she would have a better life with Arsh. Ultimately, things turned out to be otherwise, but her conviction towards her new relationship and her love for Arsh was genuine and real.

Some relationships are toxic, where you fight a lot, but there's also a lot of passion, and you love that person a lot. So, Ashika was in that sort of a relationship, you can say, a toxic relationship where she was like, okay, today it's bad, but ultimately things will get better for her. Ultimately, things are going well for her, and if she gets married to Arsh, everything will settle, and she'll be happy. So, that was her journey, and that's how I had created Ashika's journey. That's why I think I did it believable.