Pankhuri Awasthy on YRKKH: “I want my hard work to reflect on-screen”

Actress Pankhuri Awasthy has already amazed the audience with her performance in shows like Kya Kasoor Hai Amla Ka?, Razia Sultan and Suryaputra Karna. Now, the actress is all set to return with Star Plus’ one of the longest running shows, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. She will enter the show post leap as Kartik’s (Mohsin Khan) love interest.

How do you feel on joining the cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai?

I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. It’s one of the most popular shows on TV and so liked by the audiences. So, there can be nothing better than joining a show like that and I just hope that I further add to the goodwill of the show.

Tell us something about your character. How different is it from the previous characters you have played?

My character in this show is actually very different from the characters which I have played before. My first show was youth-oriented, the second one was historic and third was mythological and the fourth was social but it was on a hard-hitting subject. None of it was a family drama but this one, yes it is in the social space but it’s more like a Television serial where you talk about emotions, family, staying together, love and romance. So, it's the first time for me to be in this zone and yes, this character is also very different from the characters that I have played before. It’s a girl next door, very sweet, chirpy and bubbly girl, who wants to help people. She is very loving, caring and she is also very mature which is something I related to when I first heard the brief.

As there is a growing trend of supernatural and mythological shows these days, why did you choose this role?

Yes, there’s a growing trend of supernatural and mythological shows. I wouldn’t say that I have anything against mythological. I have done it and I love the genre but this came my way and it materialised before anything else. So more than me choosing it, I think it was destined.

Hina Khan and Shivangi Joshi have already won the audience’s hearts. So, do you feel any pressure?

No, I’m not taking any pressure. I’m just here, trying to focus on my work. I’m working in the daily soap format after quite some time. So, I just want to focus right now, I know it's going to take some time for me to settle in. I just want my hard work or whatever  I’m putting into this character should reflect on-screen.

You have mostly portrayed strong and path-breaking characters on screen, be it Amla, Draupadi or Razia. Which character do you think was more challenging to portray and why?

I think all had their own challenges because they all happened for me at a point in time as Razia happened in the beginning. So, it was me fresh in front of the camera and acting for the first time, obviously, I was very passionate but that was a different thing. Draupadi along with it brought such heavy sequences like the entire ‘Chirharan’, ‘the vivah with the five Pandavas’. The audiences love Gods and the characters who play Gods so you can’t go wrong there, that was also a huge responsibility. Amla again in the social space, it was very tough to get into the psyche of a rape victim, you can never imagine something like that happening. So, that's a different kind of trauma and dilemma. I think that was the most challenging so far as all my other roles are concerned.

As you have enrolled for further studies, what made you take this decision after so long?

Yes, I have enrolled for a B.ed degree and it doesn’t harm and I think I’ll be able to manage it. So, both my decisions stay with me.

How will you manage studies and shoot?

I will be able to manage with studies and shoot, I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Yes, I’ll have to ask for leave on the days of the exams but I’ll study between shots and everything.

Digital content and web series have become quite popular these days. Which platform do you feel is better and why?

I think any medium of acting for me is always good and as an actor, I don’t want to limit myself to any one medium. So, whether it be web series, films or music videos or anything. I feel all of them are good and are doing great work. They are catering to respective audiences so, I think it’s all good.