||Sakshi Tanwar's Interviews and articles Thread ||

Sakshi Tanwar, who found popularity through television serials and will soon be seen in Aamir Khan starrer biographical sports drama Dangal, says that as a performer, the medium does not make any change in her acting. However, she admits the process of execution varies in TV serials and cinema.

"Between the action and cut', the medium does not matter to me as an actress. I am playing a character and I am performing by following the script. Nevertheless, yes, the execution is different in cinema from television," Sakshi said.

"If it is a daily soap, there is less chance of retakes and many scenes to shoot in a day, as opposed to a cinema where we can do a scene again to reach to the perfection."

She also said: "The story of a TV series might just change depending on the TRP (television rating point) and audience response, whereas in a film the script is set. So, you are aware of the graph of the character in advance."

Sakshi started her journey with Doordarshan by anchoring the show "Albela Sur Mela" and became popular with TV series Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. She says she never planned to be an actress. But it was a moment of realisation that made her continue her journey.

"When I started anchoring on TV, I had no inclination towards acting. It was rather fun and sheer happiness to earn my pocket money. However, I was shooting for a show called Rajdhani', where during the shooting, I realised that I am enjoying the process of acting and portraying a character which is different from my own self... Living someone's life on screen."

"I started liking that creative process," Sakshi.

The next thing happened to her was Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, one of Balaji Telefilms' most successful and long-running TV soaps in which Sakshi played the protagonist Parvati Aggarwal.

"Without even sitting and analyzing if I want to continue acting as a career or explore something else, being the lead character of the serial and committed to the project, eight years went by and it got me huge recognition and people's love. I just became popular as Parvati Aggarwal," she said.

However, fame never drove Sakshi to stay on in the limelight, as she took a two-year break.

"I never planned to become an actress, so there was no greed. Acting is just a part of my life. It is not my life. My profession and the popularity that I have earned from it is not ruling my mind all the time. I rule my profession," said the Alwar-born talent who also scored a six with her other fiction show Bade Achhe Lagte Hain.

In Dangal, which is releasing on Friday, Sakshi plays the wife of superstar Aamir Khan, who essays former champion wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat. The film traces how he trains his two daughters Babita and Geeta to become wrestling champions.

She is already an established name in the television industry, but when superstarAamir Khan called Sakshi Tanwar to be a part of his upcoming movie Dangal', the actress couldn't believe it was happening. Initially, casting director Mukesh Chhabra's agency got in touch with Sakshi, best known for her portrayal of Parvati Agarwal in the soap opera Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii'.

The role she was approached for " and which she eventually bagged " was to play Aamir's wife in the biographical-drama. It was, however, when Sakshi got a call from the 51-year-old actor that she experienced a whirlpool of emotions.

"When I got a call from Aamir sir, I went blank. I was like Oh, okay, well.' I didn't know what to do after that. Moments later after the call, I was excited, happy and probably also overwhelmed. There was a mix of emotions in me," Sakshi told PTI.

Dangal' is based on the life of ace wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and the journey of his daughters Geeta and Babita Phogat.

Once on board, the 43-year-old Bade Achche Lagte Hain' star quickly cancelled her trip to Bhutan to accommodate dates for the film and began prepping for the role.

Though the "PK" star had managed to make Sakshi star-struck in the phone conversation, when the duo started shooting the film, there was no intimidation.

"The first scene that I shot with him was when his character realises that a gold medal is a gold medal, whether a girl brings it or a boy. But it wasn't intimidating at all. I was very comfortable with him," she said.

"We all had met earlier for reading sessions. So we knew how things will go. With actors generally you know how things will pan out on the set and with Aamir it was an extremely comfortable experience," the actress added.

It wasn't that the feeling of shooting a film with Aamir had sunk in from day one for Sakshi. The actress says there were two defining moments when it hit her that she has acted alongside the 51-year-old actor.

"One was when the trailer got released and I saw myself in it. The other was, when we had screening of the rough cut and I saw my name in the credits. These were the moments where I felt yes I am in this'. Before that everybody used to tell me Oh my God you're in Dangal' and while I knew that very well, it wasn't sinking in," said Sakshi.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Dangal' is slated to release on December 23.

That Sakshi Tanwar is a brilliant actress is something we all know. The actress has been loved right from her TV debut with Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and has since then, only grown in popularity. She was last seen on 24 with Anil Kapoor, and is now all geared up to make her big Bollywood debut opposite Aamir Khan in Dangal.

I caught up with the actress to find out more.

You've had a hugely successful innings on TV. What took you so long to make the switch?

The fact that I'd never planned for it. In fact, I had never planned for my television innings as well. It all happened to me by chance. I was preparing to be an IAS officer, I was preparing for my civil services exam. I guess destiny had other plans. So, I started doing television and before I could even realise, the show had become very popular and I had no time to reconsider what had happened. So, even after that show got over, there was no plan. There never ever was a plan. It's just that I allowed things to happen to me instead of choosing things to do. That way, I'd consider myself blessed that the right projects chose me at the right time. Whether it was the first daily show that I did or Bade Acche or 24, the right ones kept coming my way. Similarly, for Dangal, it was never on my agenda. Even when I would read about the film being made and that Mr. Aamir Khan is doing Mahavir's role and that they're hunting for the girls, I would just read it as any other news. The thought would never even cross my mind that I could be a part of it or that I should be a part of it. It just happened - organically.

Then how did Dangal happen?

I got a call one day from Mukesh Chhabra and he asked me to audition for the role. So, I went in and gave my audition. A couple of days later, I got a call from Aamir Khan telling me they really liked my audition and that I got the part. At first, I didn't believe it. I thought it was someone playing a prank on me and just took it lightly. But later when I realised it was true, I was over the moon!

Aamir Khan is known to be a perfectionist. What was it like working with him?

You know, there is this very serious image of Aamir that people have. There's this thing about him being a big movie star but he's nothing like that on set. He's so chilled out and is so normal, he makes you feel really comfortable. He sits with everyone on set, we all eat together, chat in between shots, and he's actually got a really good sense of humour. I was a little nervous before I got on board but once we did the readings and saw how easy going he was, it made me feel comfortable instantly. I'm thankful I got to learn from a veteran like him.

What about the girls in the film?

In this case, it was totally different because none of them looked like they're facing the camera for the first time. They were so confident, they knew exactly what was required for their character, and they would deliver it. They were so well prepared for it. I used to think that maybe with the younger girls, there could be times where we'd have difficulty filming the scenes because they would just run around from one corner to the other, crack jokes all the time. There would be a lot of masti going on. But as soon as they say the shot is ready, the two would just cut off and get serious and into character - much to my surprise! So, it didn't feel like they were newcomers. Sania and Fatima are at another level completely. They just lived those characters for the duration of the shoot. I didn't see Sania and Fatima in them. I saw the character in them at all times. They have so much fire in them and their eyes speak. I didn't have many scenes with them but whatever little I did do with them, they were incredibly amazing. I was blown. My reaction would be' WOW!'

The film is about gender equality. Do you think there's equality in the entertainment industry?

I think television as a medium is a great example. I mean, look at the producers who are ruling the medium. Look at the actors. I think this medium is by the women, for the women, of the women. So, I did not have to face any prejudice because of my gender there fortunately. The remote is in the housewives' hands. There are so many female writers in the industry, directors, camera - DOPs - they're everywhere, and that makes me very happy. About the film industry, I can't say much because I've only just started and fortunately have not experienced anything yet.

You've largely played the role of a mum in your films. What is Sakshi like in real life?

I'm a very normal and simple girl. Honestly, there are no hang ups when it comes to me. I'm not fussy, I'm chilled out and am a low maintenance person. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends when I can. The one thing I do at every given opportunity is travel. If I have spare time, I always pack up my bags and head somewhere to spend some quality time with myself.

Nice! Where did you last head to?

I went to the Andaman Islands and oh my, it was absolutely beautiful!

Whats the one thing no-one knows about you?

The one thing not many people know about me is that I love to sleep! I think I can do that all day. Another thing is that I love to watch sunsets. That's something I absolutely love. I live on the 20th floor and I get to see beautiful sunsets from my balcony every single day.

It is a pleasant evening when we caught up with Sakshi Tanwar at Aamir Khan's office in Bandra. Dressed in a white kurta with silver jhumkis, she looks not much different from what she does on screen. When we mention Dangal, her kohl-lined eyes come alive reflecting just how happy she is about the film. Sakshi says unlike what many are thinking, Dangal is not her film debut. She has done a few Hindi films including Chandra Prakash Dwivedi's Mohalla Assi which is yet to be released. The lady plays mom to Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Shaikh in the film based on the life of Mahavir Phogat and his daughters, Geeta and Babita. (Also Read: Sakshi Tanwar: Aamir Khan has a child-like enthusiasm)

Dangal hits screen on December 23 and is expected to be a out and out blockbuster. The trailer has received a fabulous response so far. We also spoke to Sakshi about her web-series with Ram Kapoor, with whom she has electric chemistry. With the world going gaga over her acting chops, she is clearly not someone who believes in planning or takes the hype too seriously. The lady also gave an insight into how parental support makes a difference in the lives of girls from India's small towns. Sakshi herself belongs to Alwar, a small town from Rajasthan.

We will not reveal much. Click on the link to watch the entire interview...

posting link in video wala thread 😆

She will now be seen in Aamir Khan's movie DANGAL playing mother to 4 girls and Aamir Khan's wife. Well, this isn't the first time she is playing a mother and wife, but yes on big screen this is the first time Sakshi has donned this avatar and that too in a biopic based on wrestling.

Sakshi Tanwar is quite elated to be sharing screen space with Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan.

During the media interactions we asked about her experience working with Aamir, to which she said, "(smiles) honestly it just didn't sink in me that I am working with Aamir Khan. Only when the trailer was released it sank in me that I am part of the film. I didn't even think that I would be selected for the role."

Talking about how she bagged the role, Sakshi reminisced, "I got a call from Mukesh Chabbra's casting agency that they are looking for lead opposite Aamir Khan I went and gave the audition. I wasn't too sure that I will be getting the role, it wasn't that I was star-struck but when I gave the audition with Aamir I told the casting girl (Shaheen) if I can have a snap of the audition that I gave with Aamir as I was too shy to take a snap with him. But very kindly she said, I can have the snap of the audition'. While I was going back home I got a call from Aamir Khan and I just kept staring at the phone and told my driver to stop the car as I wanted to speak to him. And finally he told me that I am on for Daaya's role and my happiness had no bounds."

Here's wishing all the very best to Sakshi for her role!