Embracing Villainy: Aradhana Sharma on joining the ranks of Ekta Kapoor's iconic vamps with Barsatein

Aradhana Sharma, who portrays 'Kirti' in Sony TV's popular series 'Barsatein,' recently engaged in an exclusive conversation with India Forums. During the discussion, she shed light on her character, her transition into the realm of iconic Balaji Telefilms' antagonists, and more.

The viewers of 'Barsatein' have shown immense affection for Kiki's 'Poo' persona, and with Kiki taking a negative turn in the story, her character is now garnering disdain from the audience. How do you perceive this transformation, and were you informed about it in advance?

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has embraced Kiki. It's a tremendous compliment for me. When I was offered this character, I was informed that Kiki would be a stylish fashionista with vibes reminiscent of 'Poo.' However, I had my reservations. I was concerned that going overboard or trying to match up to Kareena Kapoor's iconic character might be problematic due to inevitable comparisons. But the guidance and support from my directors and the team have been exceptional, resulting in an amazing outcome. As for the sudden negative transition in my character, I wasn't explicitly briefed about it. I knew that Kiki was primarily interested in fashion and boys and that she is the daughter of a wealthy father. While Kiki shares a bond with her sisters, her possessiveness about boys is quite evident. Kiki made a sacrifice for Reyansh in the past for the sake of Kimi, but when a similar situation arose with Jay, she couldn't bear it. I'm thoroughly enjoying portraying this character, as it allows me to experiment and explore various facets.

Ekta's heroines have earned immense popularity, and her villains have become iconic figures in Indian television history. How does it feel to join this legacy?

My older sister told me something when I entered the industry two years ago; she said, "You'll find success by playing negative characters, and you have the ability to do it." Her words turned out to be quite accurate. My first project, "Alladin- Naam Toh Suna Hoga," featured me in the negative shade of a cat queen, and this trend continued in my career. I don't see any issues with portraying a negative character. There's a common stereotype that playing negative roles can typecast you in future projects, but I believe in my versatility as an actress. I've recently worked on a web series in which I portrayed a naive character. I'm not afraid and am grateful for the opportunity to portray such diverse characters.

My older sister told me something when I entered the industry two years ago; she said, 'You'll find success by playing negative characters, and you have the ability to do it.' Her words turned out to be quite accurate. My first project, "Alladin- Naam Toh Suna Hoga," featured me in the negative shade of a cat queen, and this trend continued in my career.

- Ekta Kapoor

Can you provide insights into the behind-the-scenes dynamics during the shooting of 'Barsatein'?

We have a lot of fun behind the scenes. Koko and I share an incredibly contrasting bond offscreen. We engage in deep conversations about life and spirituality. Kimi di? She's truly like our elder sister in real life as well. Koko and I can be quite careless in real life, often losing or misplacing our belongings, so we entrust her with our keys. She takes care of the smallest things for us in real life too. Our onscreen papa, Vimarsh Roshan, is more like a friend, and we share a great rapport with him. Even Malini mam is an amazing person; she recently brought us a box of gulab jamuns. Before joining the show's cast, I was a bit apprehensive because I knew we had a lot of senior actors on board. Nevertheless, the atmosphere on the set is filled with positivity.

What can the audience anticipate from your character and the show's storyline?

I'm aware that the audience is eagerly awaiting the reunion of Aradhana and Reyansh. I often read comments on Instagram, and I can sense the anticipation. However, the journey ahead is long, and many twists and turns are in store. "Abhi toh bahut pol khulne wali hai" (Many secrets are yet to be unveiled). I believe there will be a substantial amount of drama. As for Kiki, I'm set to embrace more cunning and manipulative traits. What will transpire when it's revealed that Aradhana is our sister remains a mystery to me. I often contemplate whether Kiki will react emotionally or with rage, but even I don't have the answers.

When will this revelation occur?

To be honest, I don't know. I've been eagerly waiting for it myself, constantly pondering how Kiki will react when the truth emerges. We have scriptwriters, but I also engage in constant contemplation. (Giggles)

What are your thoughts on Aradhana's character in the show?