Small town girls who madebig on small screen-Asha

Pratyusha Banerjee and Alisha Singh from Jharkhand have already made a name for themselves on the silver screen. Times of India looks at other girls from small towns who made it big on TV

Name: Mitali Nag
Age: 23
Serial: Afsar Bitiya
Screen name: Krishna
From: Nagpur
I faced problem in the sense that I did not know anyone in the industry or from Mumbai itself. I had no godfather. So, I had to find a space on my own. I would say people have subconsciously treated me inferiorly. But I don't know whether it is because I am from a small town or my dusky complexion. Yes, there are still some small town values in me. I still have my inhibitions. I am not that bold as girls of metros, but I am an educated and confident girl. People from interiors just need to run a reality check to find out if they fit in where they want to be.

Name: Bharti Singh
Age: 27
Serial: Comedy Circus
Screen name: Lalli/Golu
From: Amritsar
I had my share of troubles as small towns are low on priority list of everyone. New brands reach late in Amrtisar. Also, the quality of education is not that good. Therefore our English is not up to the mark. That leads to problems. But when you reach a level in your career, there is no problem after that. Maybe, I did not face problems regarding my sense of style because I had never come to Mumbai to become a model.

Name: Krattika Sengar
Age: 27
Serial: Punar Vivah
Screen name: Aarti
From: Kanpur
Even if you are from Delhi, people in Mumbai call you a ganwar. I also faced that though I was always a fashionista. I don't think the term is meant in a derogatory sense. It is part of the vocabulary. But for me, being from a small town was a problem only in the sense that exposure was less. Thus, my confidence level took a dip. Otherwise we are as good as people from metros in terms of our knowledge base. I also adjusted well in the maximum city. I think people from small towns are grounded, know their values and the importance of family life.

Name: Devoleena Bhattacharjee
Age: 23
Serial: Saath Nibhana Saathiya
Screen name: Gopi
From: Nazira in Sibsagar district of Assam
Though I belong to a very small district in Assam, my upbringing was very cosmopolitan as I was convent-educated, had travelled a lot and met many people. It was initially a little awkward and I took time to cope with the lifestyle in Mumbai. It all depends on how you take things. I took criticism in my stride. There are small changes that I made in myself. In Assam, I would only wear salwar suit but in Mumbai, I don't wear it because it is not suited to the fast-paced life here. I have immense faith in God and that's what has helped me. Besides, I had hope, determination and belief in myself. These saw me through.

Name: Asha Negi
Age: 22
Serial: Pavitra Rishta
Screen name: Poorvi
From: Dehradun
People from small towns often tend to be conservative and are introverts. My relatives discouraged my parents from sending me to Mumbai as people back home feel that TV industry is not safe. So, it took some amount of convincing for my parents to agree. Otherwise I am proud of my city. It is so beautiful and people there respect and care for others. I think success lies in the mind. Anyone can make it big if he/she really wants to.

Name: Rati Pandey
Age: 29
Serial: Hitler Didi
Screen name: Indra Sharma
From: Patna
I faced problems because I belonged to Patna. I don't know why but fact is that Biharis are ridiculed and often called bhaiyas. I am fond of my culture. I think Biharis are among the most literate and cultured people in India. A person's outlook depends on his/her upbringing and the values he/she imbibes. The town of his birth or grooming doesn't matter. I was teased whenever I made grammatical mistakes in delivering dialogues or my Bihari tone. I think, this is obnoxious.