TOI: Avikas interview

Balika Vadhu's character Anandi is not dying after all. Avika Gor reveals all...

You made the nation cry...
Anandi is very good girl, she'd never make anyone cry. People make her cry. Don't you know that?

Then why did you die in the serial?
You've heard wrongly. My character is still alive. How can Anandi die?

What was audience's response when your character almost died?
I loved the way people reacted. Whenever I'd go to school, or for tuitions, or meet the people in my society building, they wanted to know what would happen to Avika. I was asked to keep mum. So I didn't give anything away.

Don't you feel burdened by the viewers' love for Anandi?
I am doing what has been scripted. It was decided beforehand that Anandi's husband would run away, she'd follow him and get shot, go into the hospital, then get well and return home.

It couldn't have been easy for a child to play a wounded character!
Oh, I had lots of fun. I learnt many new things doing that scene, like a person's expression when shot at, how to fall to the ground, etc. My father and my director taught me how to do all of this. And I had to run so much to look for Jagiya (Anandi's husband).

Don't you feel you are missing out on what other kids your age do?
Aisa toh nahin hai. I do get time to play while shooting. And when there's no shooting, I play with other children in our building. Main bahut masti karti hoon. How long I continue to be Anandi remains to be seen. At the moment, I'm having a ball.

You'll soon be seen in a film – Paathshala.
Yes. But I don't have much role in that film. I signed it long before Balika Vadhu. But I got to dance with one of my favourite actors, Shahid Kapoor. To act with him was a dream come true.

Do you intend to pursue a career in acting as a grownup?
When I grow up I want to be Miss Universe. I'll do whatever I have to do for that. Since I've to complete my graduation to be Miss Universe, I'll pursue that. I've also starting exercising, cycling, yoga and dance classes.