Jennifer Winget chats up with Bollywood Life on her birthday

Talented, gorgeous, intelligent and hugely popular, Jennifer Winget is truly the reigning queen of Indian Television. She is currently seen as Zoya Siddiqui on the romantic-thriller Bepannaah. Her role is completely different from what she did in her previous show, Beyhadh, which is considered as a landmark serial in more ways than one. While it is easy to get popular by one successful show, sustaining success in showbiz is always tough, but Jennifer has managed to do so in a career spanning over 16 years. The Saraswatichandra actress has fans the world over, including in far off countries like Argentina and Mexico. She is one of the prettiest ladies around but in recent times, it has been more just than beauty for this diva. With Beyhadh, she proved she's a risk-taker like none other and literally set a benchmark for everyone in the TV industry. Ask any young actor/actress, which role they did like to reprise, and pat comes the answer, Maya Mehrotra. Young TV hunks openly admit that they have a crush on her, and she is #goals for her fans on social media. It is easy to get trapped in a bubble with such unprecedented popularity but Jennifer is getting more and more grounded as she gets older. Make no mistake, she has huge expectations from herself and confesses that she is her biggest critic. Bollywood Life caught up with the lady on her birthday for an exclusive chat...

ow do you plan to celebrate your birthday?
Since I've been working round the clock, I just want to rest and take it easy on my birthday. I'm taking off somewhere outside the city for a few days with my closest friends and my dogs of course!

What do you plan to gift yourself?
Some much needed TLC!

People are loving Zoya in Bepannaah. Did you expect this kind of response?
Honestly it was and still is kind of sinking in. I was very apprehensive when we started out to be honest; about how people would react to Zoya especially after Maya but I'm glad that audiences are liking this opposite side with Zoya and that encourages me to keep going and do further justice to her character.

Your popularity supersedes that of many Bollywood actresses. What do you think people relate to Jennifer or your characters?
I think it's mix of everything. While my characters have been loved and appreciated, I've also grown as a human being over the years that I've been associated with Television. So I think, it's my growth as an actor and as a human being that keeps people on board with me. Believe me there's a lot more work still left to be done. I have high expectations from myself! I am my biggest critic.

People are gaga over Harshad and your chemistry. How is it sharing screen space with him?
I am happy to see people liking us as a pair onscreen. What makes it fun is that it doesn't take us much effort to portray our characters. He's a great co-actor and our friendship leaves good room for chemistry to make its way in or out as and when the script demands it.

Everyone is very keen to see you in Bollywood. Do you plan to enter into films or is it immaterial for you?
I believe in doing good projects that help me grow as an actor, the medium doesn't matter.

The naivete of Zoya has taken us by surprise. What do you love about her?
It's taken me by surprise too. Her innocence really appeals to me.

The pressure of TRPs is immense nowadays and channels pull plugs on shows quite fast. Does that worry you?
Worry leaves the room, the day I say yes to a script. There's no questioning it that follows after. I love what I do and it's important that this stays consistent. So, I only bother myself about how I up my game with my character.

Besides your acting, people are gushing over Jennifer the style diva? Whom do you credit for it?
I'm blessed with a talented team that has stuck by me for years.They're my style warriors and we feed off each other's energy. It takes a whole army to style me.

AdiYa scenes kam 😭 also BDs will be there 🤢