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At 20, Shafaq captures essence of Kunit with maturity
TNN | Nov 17, 2013, 12.00 AM ISTShafaq Naaz is only 20. Yet, when she delivers her character Kunti in the popular TV serial Mahabharat, Shafaq's maturity belies her real age. It is easy to see that this young girl, who hails from Meerut, is stoking her talent by the fire in her belly in an endeavour to make it big in the acting industry. And looking at her current reach, it is safe to say Shafaq is chiselling her place in the industry quite triumphantly.
"As long as you keep the fire burning, you're bound to shine. After moving from Meerut to Mumbai, I had to give about 150 auditions. Eventually, I was lucky to find my break in a daily soap, Bidaai," says Shafaq about her break in television.
It is only a handful of actors who have the gumption to play a character from the country's beloved epic Mahabharata and Shafaq happens to be one of them. "I have never even watched the old Ramayana or Mahabharat serials...and I am glad about this fact. This is new age soap for the current generation that helps to bridge the void in young people's comprehension about our Indian mythology," she explains.
At such a young age, Shafaq is holding the light of her promise to carve her niche in the Indian TV industry. When asked about the challenges and preparations that followed while playing Kunti, she states, "Coming from a Muslim background, my command over Hindi wasn't as great as it was required. But a few diction classes, and I felt ready to roll." She adds, "I had to read a lot about the character and attend numerous workshops to get the hang of Kunti's mindset. And it all worked out for the better in the end."
Shafaq is a trained dancer under the legendary Saroj Khan and is equipped to handle the most complicated roles in the industry. "I know I am just 20, but I feel connected to the character and strive to justify my presence in the serial," she wraps up.
"As long as you keep the fire burning, you're bound to shine. After moving from Meerut to Mumbai, I had to give about 150 auditions. Eventually, I was lucky to find my break in a daily soap, Bidaai," says Shafaq about her break in television.
It is only a handful of actors who have the gumption to play a character from the country's beloved epic Mahabharata and Shafaq happens to be one of them. "I have never even watched the old Ramayana or Mahabharat serials...and I am glad about this fact. This is new age soap for the current generation that helps to bridge the void in young people's comprehension about our Indian mythology," she explains.
At such a young age, Shafaq is holding the light of her promise to carve her niche in the Indian TV industry. When asked about the challenges and preparations that followed while playing Kunti, she states, "Coming from a Muslim background, my command over Hindi wasn't as great as it was required. But a few diction classes, and I felt ready to roll." She adds, "I had to read a lot about the character and attend numerous workshops to get the hang of Kunti's mindset. And it all worked out for the better in the end."
Shafaq is a trained dancer under the legendary Saroj Khan and is equipped to handle the most complicated roles in the industry. "I know I am just 20, but I feel connected to the character and strive to justify my presence in the serial," she wraps up.
