a tete with avika and prats

The verdict is out. Pratyusha Banerjee, 19, is playing the role of Anandi in Colors' popular show Balika Vadhu. Child star Avika Gor, introduces the nayi Anandi in a tte--tte with Banerjee

Avika: Great get-up. I like the bangles you're wearing. Wonder why I never got to wear so many bangles!
Pratyusha: Well, that's because I play the older Anandi, who loves to dress up.

Avika: That's true. But I noticed you have very little lipstick on. I was very fond of wearing lipstick. At least whenever there was an occasion.
Pratyusha: That's because Jagya (my husband) is not around. In his absence I have no reason to dress up. (laughs)

Avika: So, did you regularly watch Balika Vadhu before you were chosen as the nayi Anandi?
Pratyusha: Oh, yes. I've seen Balika Vadhu a couple of times. I liked watching it. I told myself that when Anandi grows up, I would love to audition for the role. I never thought that my dream would ever come true. No one in my family has ever been associated with cinema or television.
Avika: I heard you did screen-tests for the role?
Pratyusha: Yes. There were two other girls who were shortlisted for the same role. People keep asking me how I managed to bag the role. I think that's because I'm very much like Anandi. I'm as bubbly as her and my expressions are just like her. And as you can see I'm very talkative too, just like her.

Avika: What did you think of the younger Anandi?
Pratyusha: She is a sweet and a lovely girl. After watching a couple of episodes, I felt like I immediately knew her. Anandi was a child bride but she wasn't supposed to be typically conservative. On the contrary, she was rather terrified at the prospect of child marriage.

Avika: How well do you know Anandi? Can you name her best friend?
Pratyusha: Phooli.

Avika: I'm impressed! Okay, now name the god Anandi complained to, after a fight with Jagya?
Pratyusha: Kanaji.

Avika: Let's see if you get this right. Who is Anandi's on-screen brother?
Pratyusha: (Thinks) Did Anandi have a brother on-screen?

Avika: Yes. Shyamji.
Pratyusha: Oh. That never came out.

Avika: So, what did you do all these years?
Pratyusha: I didn't do much. But I did miss Jagya all these years. I kept writing his name in a book, whenever I missed him. I plan to present the book to him when I meet him.

Avika: Is that all that you did all these years? What about studying? Didn't you take this opportunity to study!
Pratyusha: No.

Avika: I guessed so. After all I was the one who put a stop to Anandi's studies the day I got married. (laughs) So, you haven't met Jagya as yet?
Pratyusha: No.

Avika: You only missed Jagya! What about the other members of the family? Don't tell me that you didn't miss dadisa!
Pratyusha: Yes. I did miss everyone. I also missed dadisa. I'm not denying that. I'm planning to prepare ginger tea for dadisa as soon as I go back. She will be very happy.

Avika: You must. Also always remember to agree with everything Jagya says. If he says that it's night in the day, say the same thing. (laughs) Don't ever disagree with him. Dadisa too agrees with everything he says. Disagree with him and be prepared to hear a mouthful from dadisa.
Pratyusha: Oh, all this advice does make me nervous.

Avika: Also never force a widow to wear bangles or else get prepared to be locked in a dark room. So, how different is the older Anandi? Is this going to be a romantic youthful role you'll be playing?
Pratyusha: She'll cry less (laughs). There will be more love between Anandi and Jagya. The childhood friends will now be seen as lovers. The nayi Anandi will be more coy and shy. She'll be more understanding and mature.

Avika: I think it worked out pretty well to have a different lady for a change. But will you continue fighting with Jagya?
Pratyusha: Nachadi chidiya badal gayi hain (The mischievous Anandi has changed).

Avika: I wonder why you remind me of Sugana! I think it's your hairstyle. I notice that now you have become more shy too. Why do you constantly keep hiding your face behind your veil? Little Anandi never did that! Did you prepare for this role?
Pratyusha: I'm not accustomed to carrying a ghoonghat 24/7. I have been working hard so that it comes naturally to me. I'm also getting accustomed to dressing up in the Rajasthani traditional attire and wearing heavy jewellery. I'm a Bengali from Jamshedpur. I studied at St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. All this is quite new to me. The Rajasthani accent, the mannerisms, the food habits are all new for me. But I guess I'll learn as I grow, like you did.
Avika: Do you know I never required glycerine during the shoots? I cried naturally. My producers and directors always told me that I'm a good actress. Do you realise that it's a tall task getting into my shoes?
Pratyusha: Yes I do. But you must understand that the viewers have chosen me as their nayi Anandi. I will try my best to get Anandi's fans to love me. I'm new to the family too. I have to get them to accept and love me. But I don't want to think about all this now. I'm on cloud nine since I have been informed that I'll play the role of nayi Anandi. I want to go with the flow.

Avika: Little Anandi was very fond of the ghumar, a traditional Rajasthani dance. Do you like dancing too?
Pratyusha: I do. I'm a trained Kathak dancer. I love dancing.

Avika: One of your favourite scenes from Balika Vadhu?
Pratyusha: It was my first shot. I'm waiting for Jagya with a pot in my hand, in a desert in Rajasthan. That scene had great impact as that scene introduced Anandi after the five- year leap; when younger Anandi bids good- bye to her fans and nayi Anandi enters the show. I'll miss you though.

Avika: You don't need to miss me. I'll often be seen in the flashback.