I AM VIRTUALLY THE LEAD NOW IN BALH - Fenil Umrigar

Bade Achhe Lagte Hain has taken a leap yet again. Pihu, played by Fenil Umrigar, is now a collegiate and she tells DeebashreeMohanty how she may well be the central character of this long-running love story of a middle-aged couple

Playing Pihu... how does that feel?

I am elated. Bade Achhe Lagte Hain is a flagship show and I am super excited to be a part of it. Also with this leap, Pihu becomes the central character so I have a lot to do. Like Pihu, I am a very honest and hardworking person. Let's hope this stint is a success.

You took a long break after BFF on Star Plus...

Best Friends Forever was much in demand those days. We used to shoot nonstop. That took a toll on my health and I had to take time out. I was missing my parents too. Now I am back to give my best.

How did you bag the offer?

I got a call from the production house two months' back saying that Ekta ma'am had seen a footage of BFF and wanted me to audition for Pihu. Since I couldn't go to Mumbai then, I sent her a disc of my audition. I was not very hopeful that I would be selected. But when the person on the other side congratulated me, I was on cloud nine.

What does it mean to you, working for Balaji Telefilms?

BALH is a perfect platform for any actress. Apart from Balaji Telefilms, the show boasts of seasoned actors Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar. It is a huge opportunity for me. I am going to cash in on that. My plan is to spend time on the sets, learn from my co-stars, do networking and use BALH to further my career.

How many episodes have you shot till now?

We have only just begun. I did my first shot the day I came to sign my contract. It was with Ram Kapoor and I was super nervous. I even told him so. But he is a sweetheart. He assured me that I would do well. He helped me rehears my lines with him to make me feel at ease. I had to give quite a few retakes but he was very accommodating. He is a perfectionist.

And, Sakshi Tanwar?

She's always been my role model. She is one of the finest actors in Tellywood. I wish I had 10 per cent of the talent she has. I have shot a couple of scenes with her wherein she is in a coma and I am talking to her. So we haven't really communicated that much. But she keeps smiling at me whenever she sees me. That's very warm gesture.

So, is Pihu going to have shades of grey?

She is like any other college girl. Sexy, smart and shrewd. She will continue to be the apple of her parents' eyes. She loves her parents and siblings and can do anything for her family. But like every teenager, she will also have a slightly grey shade " she is a naughty and arrogant prankster. It is a believable character, someone you will relate to.

Where is BALH headed?

We have only been given the script for the first three episodes post the leap. The creative team and Ekta ma'am will decide the rest of the content. As of now, the focus is Ram Kapoor who will has to take care of his three girls. There will be a lot of parenting issues and challenges on display and how he tackles those issues will be the crux.

What about the twists Ekta is known for?

The show is going to be as exciting as before, if not more. There are going to be many twists. In the coming few weeks, the show will unravel what actually happened with Pihu at that prom night. That is going to be shocking and unnerving. We are hoping to garner maximum TRPs post this revelation.

But wasn't the USP of the show the romance between a middle-aged couple?

Yes. But the show must go on and it can't be focused on one thing all through. For a soap to thrive, the producers need to look for more angles. Like in Kyunkii... the show was only about Tulsi and Mihir to begin with but with time that changed. We saw more issues come to the fore. The same is going to be the case with BALH. The focus will now be on Ram-Priya's children and what goes on in their lives.

Way forward

With Priya in coma and speculations rife that she may leave the show, it's over to Ram and his daughters. In the coming episodes he will be shown parenting his children as a friend, father and guide. The show will also unveil what really happened with Pihu on prom night.

Link :: http://www.dailypioneer.com/show-time/i-am-virtually-the-lead-now-in-balh.html