Posted:
25 March 2010 | 5:18pm 4 Comments
Pratigya aka Pooja Gor feels honored to have influenced the minds of T.V audience to such a great extent at a tender age of 18, thro her role of Pratigya in the Star Plus show...
Pooja Gor the female protagonist of Star Plus' highly viewed show Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya speaks her heart out with Telly Buzz…
How did you bag the role for Pratigya?
After my previous show Kitani Mohabbat Hai went off air, I was searching for a new project. That is when I came to know about this upcoming serial Pratigya, gave a screen test and they liked me for the role.
Pratigya is getting enormous response, so what are your expectations from yourself now?
Basically as an actor I try my best to deliver whatever the character expects from me. And I feel there is always a scope for improvement, and as Pratigya I wish to mould myself to an extent that I can receive Best Actress and Best serial award for Pratigya.
How would you define Pratigya in one word?
In one word Pratigya for me is a perfect symbol for 'Strength'.
So how strong is Pooja Gor in her real life as compared to Pratigya?
Hmm.. I feel I'm much more bold and strong than the character Pratigya. I live my life on the basis of great principles. So I can relate myself somewhat to my character.
These days when you visit public places how frequently do people refer to you as Pratigya and not Pooja? Could you share one such instance?
Very often common man refers to me as Pratigya. No one except my close buddies call me Pooja these days. Pratigya is hotter in the city these days (smiles).
One very sweet experience of mine was when I had been to a restaurant with my friends. As soon we entered the place the manager just recognized me and came running to ask that, "you are Pratigya naa? I and my family are big fan of yours; we've been watching every episode since day one".
Then he immediately called up his family from his mobile and requested me to have a word with them. And when I talked to them I was so touched to know that people connect to Pratigya so much and so nicely.
Wow that's great !
Okay as the title of your serial reads Mann Ki Awaaz.. Pratigya, how much does Pooja listen to her heart while taking decisions?
Frankly speaking I take my personal decisions on practical basis. Though I'm a bit emotional and in every decision making process, I involve both my mind and heart, but 70% of my decisions is based on practicality.
These days most of the serials are female centric, so how different do you think Pratigya stands out from others?
Yes I do agree that these days most of the serials are female centric but it differs in its story and conceptualization. And also the impact the serial has on the audience makes it stand out from others.
Has Pratigya as a character moulded Pooja's personality as a person?
No not at all! (laughs) I'm a kid of just 18 (smiles). I'm chirpier, adventurous, enthusiastic, and energetic. And my character gives no opportunity to display these qualities.
So what kind of a role do you desire to enact?
I really want to play a role of a school kid where I can be myself.
Pratigya is always referred to as a reformer and not as a victim. How do you see it?
I absolutely stand by the above statement. And in the launch conference organized for the show, there were two women who I feel truly are examples of the above statement. I can't recollect their names but when they came to know about our serial and its concept, they volunteered to attend the conference as they also had suffered a real life incident something similar to the story of Pratigya. And it was a honour for the entire team to have them there.
Did you feel any need to do self research to fine-tune your portrayal?
I didn't feel to do any self research as such. But I'm a part of the Pratigya campaign carried by the channel wherein we visit different places in the interiors and try to motivate the females who have been suffering due to various indifferences in society.
We had visited many places like Lucknow, Kanpur and a very sweet instance happened there. When we were on streets, a 11year girl just approached me and said, "Pratigya didi there was a boy in the school who used to torture me a lot and my teacher also didn't take any action against him, and that made me scared. But after watching your serial I felt so strong the next day that I went and pushed the boy down from his seat. And now he doesn't trouble me." I mean at that moment of time I just went speechless.
How are you handling the big fan base that you are getting?
Yes I do receive positive mails and messages with regards to the serial, but once I had received a very exceptional mail. A girl from Allahabad had written about the eve teasing problem she used to face in her college and how after watching Pratigya, she decided to fight against it herself and not run away in fear. I was touched to read that people just idolize Pratigya so much. I never thought my character would have such great influence on young minds.
Are you associated with any NGO?
As of now I'm just associated with the NGO that our show is supporting. But in future I would really like to join a NGO that is linked with betterment for children.
As you are just 18, are you pursuing your studies also?
Yes, I'm doing my 2nd year B.com from the Mumbai University.
You said you love adventures so what are you fascinated with?
I love speed cars. I enjoy going on long drives in full speed with friends.
Reporter & Author: Pooja Shenoy
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