Sonam Arora on playing transgender Angel's role in 'Shakti... Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii'

Colors' Shakti... Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii is not just one of the most popular shows on the tube as we know but also one of the longest-running ones. Having clocked five years of runtime only recently, Shakti has been a trailblazer in terms of breaking several stereotypes related to the transgender community.

While the show did receive a major boost with the return of Rubina Dilaik aka Saumya in the show, several other actors have also taken the brave step of playing a transgender in the show, and one of them is actor Sonam Arora. The actor plays transgender Angel in the show has is applauded for her portrayal of the same. As she plays the antagonist in the show, she opened up on the experience of playing one, her parents and relatives' response to her playing a transgender and other things in an interview with ETimes TV.

About the role, she said, "I am so happy and glad that I got this role to play. I never thought I will get this kind of character in my career. My role has been received well by the audience. It's been seven months I am playing Angel's role and I feel blessed."

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When asked about the reactions, she said, "I can’t forget the day when my role made an entry for the first time. My entire family saw it. My father called me. His favourite actor is Sunny Deol and being Punjabis, we speak in that language. He told me, ‘Oh ho Sunny Deol wargi’ (Like Sunny Deol). He started comparing my performance with him and he was very happy. That was a very big compliment. I have played bold scenes and also a boy’s role previously, and my family has always been supportive of my work."

About her relatives' reaction, she said, "My school friends messaged and congratulated me. Most of my family members are in Karnal and Punjab. They are still a bit orthodox. They still don’t think of transgender community so well. The outlook has changed in the metro cities but not in small towns. They would question me ‘Aisa kaisa role kar rahi hai?’ How do I make them understand? I can’t explain it to them. It will take me years to make them understand. Let them think whatever they want to think. My parents support me and that’s what matters. It's been 7 months since I started playing this role. I think they might have changed their thoughts. I don’t get to speak to them much."

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