This year Star Plus entered a new decade of entertainment after completing 10 suceessful years of going all-Hindi. The channel's most prestigious and awaited Star Parivaar Awards hailed new members to the family, who bagged quite a few awards. One such show that stood out was Pratigya and its leading couple Pratigya and Krishna (Pooja Gor and Arhaan Behll). The duo were the hottest jodi and Pratigya also got the popular Naya Sadasya award (new member).
Pratigya is beaming from ear to ear and is all thankful to her fans for showering their love and blessings on her. The girl who is an epitome of inner strength talks about her journey so far.
How did it feel to be awarded at your first SPA for your debut show Pratigya on Star Plus? Tell us about your performance.
It was a great experience for me considering that it was my first award function and red carpet ever. I was overwhelmed to receive the popular Naya Sadasya (new member) and hottest jodi awards.
But you are not a jodi yet. You are always at loggerheads with Krishna!
Yes we can't be termed as a couple but yet we are a couple and I think people love both our petty squabbles and huge showdown. Ours is not a typical lovey-dovey couple but different from what you see usually. There is love in the life of other on-screen couples but we are on a different tangent in our relationship and that's the highlight of the show.
People have been demanding that the channel bring you together.
I think people will have to wait for that to happen and I agree that it will be interesting to see them together.
Tell us about your performance at SPA?
I performed both solo and a duet with Arhaan (Krishna). My solo act was the introduction act of SPA where all the leading ladies of different shows of the channel had performed. I had performed to the popular number of Tere Naina from My Name Is Khan. Krishna and I performed to Pyaar Ki Yeh Kahaani Suno from Honeymoon Travels.
So have you befriended the leading ladies from other shows?
Yes, we have become very good friends now. I knew them earlier but never got to meet them. Rehearsing together at SPA gave us ample time to know each other, chat together and befriend each other. They are all really nice and sweet to me and I am still in touch with all of them like Sara Khan (Sadhna Rajvansh), Parul Chauhan (Ragini Rajvansh) and Shivshakti Sachdev (Bebo).
Who according to you was your strongest competition at SPA?
To be honest I didn't feel the competition. My show has been ruling the TRPs on the channel and so I knew we would win. There are other shows too which have the potential but the audience already had their favourites in mind. I am thankful to the jury members and the viewers for the awards.
How is Pratigya special to you?
Pratigya is special to me in every sense. This is my first show as a lead and in a span of just six months of its airing the show has become the number one show on the channel and number two across channels. What can get better than this? I feel the concept of the show is unique and that is what has worked in our favour.
How is it working with Arhaan?
Oh! It's such fun to work with him. He is a silent prankster as you can't predict what can come from his end. He does a lot of masti and cracks jokes and the next moment he is all silent. So he is quite unpredictable.
Did he take any tips from you considering this happens to be your second show and his debut?
Acting is always inborn and no one can teach you to act. As an actor you must know how to act and should be technically sound. I learned a great deal from my first show and understood the technicality of acting. Pratigya helped me grow as an actor. Arhaan, considering this was his first show, was technically not that sound so I did help him a bit initially.
The show is a take on the problem of eve-teasing which is more prevalent in the cow-belt region of the country. What kind of response are you getting from that region?
You won't believe but we have fans coming down from Lucknow, Kanpur and other regions of the northern part of the country who appreciate and compliment us for our show and its concept. It is really overwhelming to see them take so much trouble and come and meet us personally. It gives me immense pleasure when people address me as Pratigya whenever I go out shopping to some mall or any public place.
Have you ever been eve-teased?
I have been fortunate enough to have not faced an ugly situation like this.
What is your suggestion to those girls who are forced into a marriage?
My suggestion to them is that they are must tell their parents of what they think about the situation and the guy. They must raise their voice against such an act. If their request is genuine enough then the society and parents ought to take a notice of it. But parents should be stern if they feel that their daughter is wrong and falling prey to someone who is trying to take advantage of her innocence.
Are you as strong as Pratigya in real life?
I am quite bubbly and a chatterbox in real life whereas Pratigya is a thinker. I am like a kid. I am only 19 and Pratigya must be 25, so the difference exists in the behavioral pattern. I have always got an opportunity to play roles older than my real age. I have somehow managed to perform these mature characters well.
What keeps Pratigya going?
Her undying faith in the principles and ideology that has come from her father.
How do you comprehend the title Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya?
The title has a deep meaning to it. Women always find it difficult to express their deepest desires primarily because the situation and circumstances wouldn't allow them to do so. The title suggests that one must say all that one's heart contains. Say it loud and be adamant with a clear conscience.
Any message for your fans who have supported you unconditionally?
I would like to say thank you to all of them for their love and support.
source: http://starplus.startv.in/spa2010/features.aspx?p=Pratigyas-winning-streak&aid=315&Page=8