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"Never say never, you don't know what's in store" - Suhani Dhanki

The actress opens up about her character, Laachi in Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Porus!

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Actor Suhani Dhanki, who essays the role of Princess Laachi in Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Porus, talks about how she came on board with the show and why she loves working with Swastik Productions, repeatedly.

Congratulations on bagging a crucial role in Porus. We would like to know what prompted you to take up the role of Porus' love interest?

Swastik Productions has been really amazing. In fact, I started my career with Swastik and it boosted my confidence to take up more roles because my first experience was so good. People in Swastik are full of warmth and welcoming; they are approachable and moreover, it is a safe work place. I was initially apprehensive as I come from a protective family. But working with Swastik has made me realise that people behave with you, the way you are with them. I love their working culture. They make a lot of substance-oriented shows that highlight our rich heritage and culture. Along with research, they portray aesthetic too and I love working for their projects.

What special training did you take for your character in the show?

Swastik Productions has left no stone unturned to transform me into a fearless princess. Right from sword fighting, acting classes, horse riding, rowing, swimming, underwater training, they have made sure to train me well in everything. I am so glad I got to do these things as a part of the show.

You started your career as a model and a trained classical dancer, how has the journey been?

I have been raised in a family of art lovers. I started my career as a classical dancer when I was really young and my dance teacher, Mirabelle, told me that I was born to dance. But I never really gave it much importance. But when I grew older, I realised that my parents too envisioned me as an artist, that's when I decided to take up serious training. My mother took me to my Guru, Dr. Sandhya Purechaji and after I met her, my life changed. She not only instilled values and discipline of dance in me, but opened my mind to a lot of things like philosophy, spirituality, tradition and innovation. She made me explore everything under the sun and never forbade me from doing anything. Learning from her was like attending a gurukul for me.

In fact, she is a big reason for me to start acting; her contribution along with the unflinching support of my parents. She accompanied me to the Mahabharat office. I have always tried to balance my career as a dancer and as an actor and at no point does my riyaaz stop, nor do I stop performing. With Swastik, they have been quite accommodating with my dance schedules and I have travelled with my guru and for solo shows quite a bit.

So, after Mahabharat I got finalised to play the lead in a daily soap but it was around the time that I got the National Scholarship to Young Dancers from the Ministry of Culture, and it was my final year of BA in dance and third year in law. So I had to make a choice. I chose my dance and academics. And decided to pursue acting only after completing my studies. And then, after my masters and law degree, I started going for auditions and I did the other two shows. The journey has been gratifying.

What are the prominent shows that you have been a part of? 

I have worked for shows like Mahabharat, Adhuri Kahani Hamari and lastly, Piyaa Albela.

Since you have earlier worked in Mahabharat. What difference do you find working in a historical show?

My acting choices have been quite diverse. I started my career in mythology in Mahabharat and after that, I played a naagin in Adhuri Kahani Hamari. Following this, I played a dancer in Piyaa Albela and after that, I am doing Porus which is a historical show. So the trend has been quite diverse and it's been amazing that I got to explore so many characters and so many different sides of my potential. The best part is that my look in each of the shows is so different that I don't think my family recognised me at times!

In Mahabharat, it was a costume drama, with so much makeup, heavy clothes and huge sets. Although Porus is no different, here I represent the Dasyu clan, who are very rugged. So my costume is quite minimalist and comfortable. I wear a dhoti and a kanchuki. I can do anything in this costume. I am playing the character of Laachi in Porus, a character who has never been explored but is a creation of Siddharth Kumar Tewary himself. So for me, Laachi is going to be what I make of it. It's obviously very adventurous and different playing Laachi.

How is it working with Swastik Productions and who do you bond the most with from the set?

I bond with a lot of people from the unit actually but I share a great rapport with my folks in the Dasyu world. We have so much fun chatting and obviously, we are a lot more connected, as we work together. Shraddha plays my mother's character so I bond well with her and Ashlesha. It's actually such an irony because I was in school, when I saw Shraddha playing CJ in Miley Jab Hum Tum and that time we were so fascinated by the character. So for me, working with her after so many years in itself is such a big moment. I really enjoy their company. Although they have spent more years in the industry as compared to me, I love how they treat all actors as equals.

In your free time, what do you like to do? What are your hobbies?

I love dancing, reading and writing. I love music, it's the most liberating form of entertainment. I love adventure sports but not ones related to water. I love hiking, rafting and all other random adventure things.

Well, we are sure that Suhani will shine in this show also. We extend our best wishes to her!

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Suhani Dhanki Thumbnail

Suhani Dhanki

Mahabharat poster

Mahabharat

Adhuri Kahaani Hamari poster

Adhuri Kahaani Hamari

Piyaa Albela poster

Piyaa Albela

Porus poster

Porus

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Sony TV

Comments (3)

Couldnt agree more! Very well said!
And he is not dull looking, I dont think so!

9 years ago

So true :D Not all good looking people are good actors :)

9 years ago

Wow! Agreed. This should be iQuote Of The Day/i. :D

9 years ago

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