TOI: Playng 18yr old touf-Avika

They say big things come in small packets. It's no different with teenage TV star Avika Gor. Her 'claim to fame' moment came when she became nation's favourite bahu Anandi in Balika Vadhu. Even as the actress is letting her talent do the talking with her telly stint as Roli, (her on screen Alter Ego in 'Sasural Simar Ka') Avika is best remembered by audiences as Anandi. This pretty Gujarati girl was in Ahmedabad for a promotional activity. Being a Gujarati, Avika typically loves coming to Ahmedabad, "I love to meet my relatives here. And the food is so awesome, particularly the Gujarati thali. I love to relish every bite."

For someone who has seen what kind of admiration arclights fetch you so early in life, Avika feels it has been not without any challenges as she plays a young daughter in law in her daily soap. "It was a challenge to play an 18-year-old bahu. To play someone elder than my chronological age was difficult, but that's what an actor's responsibility is — to step into a character. I'm glad the audiences accepted me as Roli," says Avika.

How's her bonding with co-star Manish Raisinghani? "Manish is a wonderful person and a great photographer. During my free time, I learn photography from him. He has clicked some great pictures of mine and has photoshopped them in a creative way."

What's changed about this perky teenager is that she has lost a lot of her puppy fat and appears more confident and better groomed. Is she on some fitness regimen? "Not at all. I have grown up! I've become taller. That's why I look leaner. I've got no time to follow an exercise schedule." The teeniebopper looks a shade mature as she continues talking about life, "I Guess all those of my age group undergo some behavioural changes as well. Many tell me that I have started sounding matured, but I don't think so."

Even though she's working round the clock, Avika is very particular about her studies. She says, "In the morning, I go for tuitions, followed by attending school. After that I go for shoots." So how does she juggle between studies and shooting? "Acting is a matter of passion for me. You can say I'm just like a student who loves to play cricket. He will come back from school, study and Rush to head for the pitch. Main bhi bilkul vaise hi shooting ke liye bhaag jaati hoon," she shares with a smile. And what lies next for this pretty teenager is "a film with renowned director Kalpana Lajmi. The shoot for the film is on but, I can't disclose much about it." Looks like Avika is chasing the silver screen glam dream, after receiving laurels on her small screen feats!