Pranoti Pradhan : Shooting for Aji Sunte Ho is a training ground for my own marriage!

The actress who steps in as Mrs. Sharma, the host of Zee TV's latest non-fiction property, Aji Sunte Ho ...'that celebrates togetherness of married life between real married couples speaks of what drew her to the show with a unique concept, the experience of shooting with married couples from across the country and the learnings she is taking home!

1. Tell us about your new show - Aji Sunte Ho?

Aji Sunte Ho is a light-hearted, non-fiction show that celebrates the beauty of togetherness in married life. We will be interacting with real married couples, who will share their stories, interact with other couples and try their hand at fun tasks that will put their compatibility to test. We'll arrive at the best Jodi in the end. Viewers will be surely able to connect with the show as most things that they'll see the couples say to each other would be conversations straight out of their own living rooms.

2. Tell us about the couples who are going to be on the show?

The couples you'll see on the show are real married couples, chosen according to the theme of the episode and based upon their willingness to share a little bit of themselves with us in a candid conversation. They are all from different backgrounds, cultures, languages and their stories will unfold in a slice-of-life manner as Mr. Sharma and I receive them as hosts in our living room and have a light-hearted chat with them like couples do when they meet up and socialize. We will get a chance to know more about their love story and tidbits from their day-to-day nok jhok.

3. How is the experience playing the role of a married woman while you are not yet married in real life?

I am learning every day about married couple's happiness and problems they face in their life on the sets. Though I have seen my parents since my childhood, I am learning more from each episode and will definitely keep them in mind when I get married. I feel lucky to play Mrs. Sharma's role.

4. What are your marriage plans?

I feel that marriage is a beautiful union of two people who choose to stand by each other through every stage of life, in good times and bad. I have lived with a married couple since the time I was born and it's really beautiful. In our society, people want a girl to tie the knot the moment she turns 21. But for me, one should clearly know what one is seeking from her partner and that clarity rarely comes by so early in life - I think what you truly need is a friend, a companion, a soulmate! I think marriage must have the couple spending quality time with each other and sharing a meaningful bond. When one gets married, one has to give time to their partner and bond well. Currently, I want to focus on my career. If I can't give time to the person I love, I will not enter into a relationship.

5. What made you choose this project?

'Aji Sunte Ho ...' may come across as easy to host but in reality, it is a difficult task. First of all, I am not acting as Pranoti but playing the role of Mrs. Sharma, a married UP-based lady in the show. Most hosts or anchors work with a ready script but in this show, we have no script and have to be spontaneous and react to what the couples say and ensure that we bring out their true elements for everybody to see. The couples are real life couples and to make them comfortable, we often break the ice in ways that we feel will make a couple truly open up. There is no standard formula for each couple, so you have to play it by the ear. To top it all, I am not married. So, each day of shoot is working out to be a training ground for my marriage. I get to learn so much from the couples I interact with through the show.

6. Tell us about your journey in the industry?

The way couples bond and understand each other better by the end of the episode is what gives me a huge sense of fulfillment. It has been an eventful journey so far as it's a positive effort to celebrate all those who are married. I was awarded the Best Child Actor in 1989 for the show 'Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke' which used to air on Doordarshan. I started doing more shows, ads, Gujarati and Marathi theatre as well and currently, I am doing Aji Sunte Ho. It has been a wonderful learning experience and there's a long way to go!