'The work culture in Tellydom has got organised' - Pariva Pranati

Pariva Pranati who was seen in shows like Hamari Betiyoon Ka Vivaah and Salaam Zindagi is back on television after a hiatus. Looking extremely pretty and trim as ever, Pariva now essays the role of Sumedha in Imagine's new show, Armanon Ka Balidaan-Aarakshan.

In a conversation with Tellybuzz Pariva shares how she kept herself busy all this while and also about her character in the show.

How were you selected for this character?
The show has been in the process of casting for about two months wherein I got selected through the normal process of auditions. But at the same time I was skeptical about the character and the show because it had been long since I had been in television. Initially it took a while for me to get accustomed with the environment, but now I am habitual with the whole set up.

What made you accept the role?
I had decided that when I come back on Television I would not do the same roles for shows that are similar to whatever exists. When this show came to me, I felt it had something new in its concept and it was not just the story about the girl but of every character in the show. The story revolves around the whole family and not just Sumedha.

You had been away from television for a while; can you share what you did during the time?
My family is based here in Mumbai, so I was spending time with them and also nurturing my pet dog which I get nowadays on the sets too. Also I paint with my mother.

You are looking trim, young and beautiful as ever. What is the reason behind your beauty?
(Laughs) I think it is all because of 'Maa ke hath ka khana' because when I had finished off with Vivaah, I had become very pale and mom had been really upset and used to scold me for that. So during the time I had in my house, my mom fed me nicely. At the same time I am a very lazy person, so a trip to the gym depends on my mood.

Have you seen a change in the way TV operates now that you come back after a while?
Not really, but when you come after a long time everything seems to be fresh and the CINTAA rule has definitely brought a change in the work culture. Where we used to shoot nearly 15 to 17 hours a day it has come down to 12 hours, which had made the work well organized.

What were the challenges being Sumedha?
The nature of the character itself was challenging because normally what I feel is actors are comfortable playing a bubbly and chirpy character. On the contrary I feel, portraying a very serious and a sober character is much easier. So being Sumedha herself was a challenge.

How did you prepare yourself for the character?
We do not get time to prepare ourselves in daily shows because we get the brief then and there. But in this show whenever I have a problem with expressions or emotions, Ravindra Gautam, our director, is always there to help me to work on that.

What is the USP of the show?
The context of the show is new and we are trying to show a government policy that's already in India which is misused. Reservation in India has its own benefits and losses for certain people. We are trying to show that the caste based reservation is in a way restricting the intelligence aspect of the people especially the youth.  

The concept of reservation quota system is a sensitive issue and can cause a controversy; so how is the channel and makers dealing with it?
Yes it is indeed a sensitive issue that we are dealing with but at the same time the production team and the channel has taken good care before going ahead with the show. The scripts should not have any loopholes in it that can create a chaos for the whole team.

Two of your shows Salaam Zindagi and Hamari Betiyoon Ka Vivaah did not get the attention from the audience as expected, what do you think went wrong?
I really do not know what might have gone wrong but as far as I am concerned, I have put my best in all the shows. I wanted Salaam Zindagi to work well because I really worked hard on that role and I got a chance to portray a very bold character. But at the same time Vivaah had a concept that was similar to several other shows on television at that time and somewhere down the lane we knew that the show was losing its content and also creativity.

How is the experience working with Muni Jha, Rahoul Lohani and Arya?
Arya and I had a shoot out of Mumbai where we became friends because we did not have any other company. He is a very nice guy. On the sets initially Rahoul was a bit reserved and grumpy but then got fine. With Muni Jha I have a very respectful approach because he is a senior.  But now the ice is almost broken and everyone is having fun on the sets sharing a great time with lunch as well.

How has the response been for the show?
Many of my friends called me up and said the show is nice. We saw the first episode on the sets putting up a screen like how we see a theatre in a village. And it was made sure that all those who did not have a shoot on the day were asked to be on the sets to see the first episode.

This is your first show with Imagine TV, how has the experience been till now?
The experience has been great till now and the people are very soft spoken and well organized. I am having a great time working with them.

Your upbringing
My dad is a retired Air Force officer and hence I have travelled all around India but my final years of schooling and college were in Delhi where I did my History Honours at Lady Shri Ram College. After my college I shifted to Mumbai where I joined a theatre called Om Katare and then later on I shifted to Television after which I could not concentrate much on theatre.

Out of the characters you portrayed, which was the most challenging one?
I would say Sumedha is the most challenging one because the character is a chatter box, always blabbering. Initially when I was doing the show, even I kept wondering why the character keeps blabbering but then later I got used to it.

How is Pariva Pranati in person?
As a person I am a very moody and pious character but at the same time very understanding too and I do not like people who are pretentious.

What would you like to say to your fans?
Please watch the show and encourage us because we have really worked hard on this project.

Reporter and Author: Saranya Valsarajan