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Laadli lead Shivshakti is just 16!
While most teenagers her age are getting ready to start college, new kid on the block Shivshakti is ready to jump straight into a career in acting after she finishes her standard 10 exams.
THE 16-year-old actress is debuting on television with Sabki Laadli Bebo. Her entry will take place after a few episodes, while she is busy studying for her tenth board exams. In this interview, Shivshakti, who has done cameos in Uttaran (Lali) and in Balika Vadhu (Champa), talks about her background, coping with a job at such a young age as well as competition in the television industry.
Tell us about yourself.
I am 16 and just like my character on the show, am a very pampered girl. I have two sisters and am the middle child. I'm originally from Delhi. I was studying in Cambridge school and came to Mumbai three years ago. I was always interested in acting.
What is Laadli about?
The story of the show is somewhat similar to my life. Even in my dad's family, my sister was born after 19 years. I did not have to prepare for this role. We have got a nice time slot too. But we have to work hard so that people like the serial and it gets good TRPs.
How did manage to bag the role?
I gave an audition for the role. The story was good and it was going to air on a big channel. I also got my part in Uttaran via audition. I liked that role a lot, it was the first time I played a negative character. My role in Laadli too is quite different and it is the first time I am playing a lead role. However, there is nothing negative in the show.
What is it like working alongside senior actor Kanwaljeet Singh on Laadli?
It is a very good experience. I get to learn new things every day. We enjoy shooting with each other, we do lots of masti while shooting so it does not feel like real work. I believe that you cannot learn acting by just taking tips from someone. Every day is a learning experience.
Do you miss your teenage life?
No, I do not miss it as my life on the sets is similar to my life at home. There too, I get pampered a lot. Whenever I asked for anything, they give it to me immediately. I do not feel that I am losing out on a normal life. My parents support me, my mother makes sure that either she or my dad comes to the sets everyday.
Do you feel the competition within the industry?
All the serials are different, whether it is Balika or Uttaran. And it all depends on what the audience likes, what is most able to attract them. I am not nervous at all about competition.
How do you manage your education and shooting?
I have not been shooting regularly now. My production house is quite cooperative and they allow me to take holidays before my exams. Moreover, I have studied the whole year so I do not have to study that hard at the last moment. Education is quite important in life. I feel that it is important to be a graduate. If you want to complete it then you have to balance between work and study.
Does your celebrity status garner you special attention from your teachers and friends?
They treat me like any other child .They know that I act in shows and keep asking me how the television field works. My teachers pamper me a little. Normally, I shoot after school but if I miss my lecture they take a separate class for me.
Lastly, how did you get your unique name Shivshakti ?
It was given to me by my Guruji. Both I and my mother are very religious.
Sabki Laadli Bebo started airing this week on Star Plus, Mon-Fri at 10pm.
http://www.indya.com/news/newsDetails.aspx?xfile=2009/March/News_20090318_91
While most teenagers her age are getting ready to start college, new kid on the block Shivshakti is ready to jump straight into a career in acting after she finishes her standard 10 exams.
THE 16-year-old actress is debuting on television with Sabki Laadli Bebo. Her entry will take place after a few episodes, while she is busy studying for her tenth board exams. In this interview, Shivshakti, who has done cameos in Uttaran (Lali) and in Balika Vadhu (Champa), talks about her background, coping with a job at such a young age as well as competition in the television industry.
Tell us about yourself.
I am 16 and just like my character on the show, am a very pampered girl. I have two sisters and am the middle child. I'm originally from Delhi. I was studying in Cambridge school and came to Mumbai three years ago. I was always interested in acting.
What is Laadli about?
The story of the show is somewhat similar to my life. Even in my dad's family, my sister was born after 19 years. I did not have to prepare for this role. We have got a nice time slot too. But we have to work hard so that people like the serial and it gets good TRPs.
How did manage to bag the role?
I gave an audition for the role. The story was good and it was going to air on a big channel. I also got my part in Uttaran via audition. I liked that role a lot, it was the first time I played a negative character. My role in Laadli too is quite different and it is the first time I am playing a lead role. However, there is nothing negative in the show.
What is it like working alongside senior actor Kanwaljeet Singh on Laadli?
It is a very good experience. I get to learn new things every day. We enjoy shooting with each other, we do lots of masti while shooting so it does not feel like real work. I believe that you cannot learn acting by just taking tips from someone. Every day is a learning experience.
Do you miss your teenage life?
No, I do not miss it as my life on the sets is similar to my life at home. There too, I get pampered a lot. Whenever I asked for anything, they give it to me immediately. I do not feel that I am losing out on a normal life. My parents support me, my mother makes sure that either she or my dad comes to the sets everyday.
Do you feel the competition within the industry?
All the serials are different, whether it is Balika or Uttaran. And it all depends on what the audience likes, what is most able to attract them. I am not nervous at all about competition.
How do you manage your education and shooting?
I have not been shooting regularly now. My production house is quite cooperative and they allow me to take holidays before my exams. Moreover, I have studied the whole year so I do not have to study that hard at the last moment. Education is quite important in life. I feel that it is important to be a graduate. If you want to complete it then you have to balance between work and study.
Does your celebrity status garner you special attention from your teachers and friends?
They treat me like any other child .They know that I act in shows and keep asking me how the television field works. My teachers pamper me a little. Normally, I shoot after school but if I miss my lecture they take a separate class for me.
Lastly, how did you get your unique name Shivshakti ?
It was given to me by my Guruji. Both I and my mother are very religious.
Sabki Laadli Bebo started airing this week on Star Plus, Mon-Fri at 10pm.
http://www.indya.com/news/newsDetails.aspx?xfile=2009/March/News_20090318_91
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