Additi Gupta interview on pinkvilla

Additi Gupta became a household name with her debut show Kis Desh Mein Hain Mera Dil [KDMHMD]. The show enjoyed a huge fan following and Additi was showered with love from all sides for her character portrayal. While one expected Additi to capitalize on her success and take up big offers, the actor chose to take a different road in the quest for challenging roles. From playing a witch to nailing a psychopath character, Additi has tried various shades.

While her fans wait to see her on the small screens soon, in a candid conversation with us, Additi spoke about her fascination for negative roles and her journey so far.

Here's an excerpt from the interview:

1. From Kis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil to Ishqbaaaz, you have been in the industry for quite some time now. How do you describe your journey?

I would like to put it in this way that in Kis Desh Mein, I played a sati savitri kind than a witch [in Qubool Hai], a negative character [in Pardes Mein Hain Mere Dil] and then a psycho [in Ishqbaaaz] so, I have been trying to do a lot of different characters and that's how my journey has been till now.

2. Are you in touch with your industry friends and former co-stars?

The thing is I am not that kind of a person who will be constantly in touch with people. Of course, I am in touch with people I have to but other than that I like to give people their space.

3. After playing a lead role in KDMHMD, you seem to be taking up parallel lead roles or negative roles. Is this a deliberate decision?

Till date, I get a lot of offers to play the lead roles but they are not exciting enough. I want to attempt something different and exciting all the time. When I was offered the role of a witch in Qubool Hai, I knew it was an absurd character but then it was fun too to be able to play a character I cannot relate to at all. Similarly, in Ishqbaaaz I got to play a character who does all these nasty things and you get to emote so much. I remember during my first show, I used to watch the actor playing the negative character and I was like wow she is giving so many expressions and I wondered how exciting it would be to play a negative character.

4. You opted out of your previous show, Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil. Any particular reason why?

They had promised me a lot of things when they got me on board. They must have had a vision when they approached me for the role but then I think they forgot what to do with my character. I know I have a lot of potential and they weren't even using half it and hence I amicably chose to walk out as I did not want to do things for the heck of it. But yes, I take this as a lesson and have no grudges against anyone.

5. What do you about the content on Television today. Do you think it has become more bizarre over the years?

You know I feel it was Qubool Hai which started these bizarre thing on television. I remember I used to do all those bizarre things as that witch that I was like "What the hell am I doing but then other shows started taking it to some another level like that of Sasural Simar Ka. But then I think it is fine as long as I get to do something exciting.

Even with the controversy around that Sony show, I found it stupid. I mean if you don't want to watch it, don't watch it but to pull off a show is weird. The show had got some good rating and there was a certain audience who was watching it.

6. Are you open to doing web series?

Yes, I think web series is liberating. It just allows you to be you without adding much melodrama. On TV shows, they dramatize a lot but with web series, you can give quality content. I am very much open to anything that excites me and keeps me on my toes.