Tina Philip on Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 2: I believe there is always a risk, but I also feel I am a risk taker

Stepping in for Bhumika Gurung in Mann Ke Awaaz Pratigya 2 is actress Tina Philip, who was last seen in Aye Mere Humsafar. While talking to India Forums, the actress got talking about her thought process into taking up the show, if she had any apprehensions about replacing someone and some more.

Read our conversation with her here.

Tell us about the thought process in saying yes to the role? Any prep that went into it?

For me, I feel it is important to grow as an actor and always try and push yourself out of your comfort zone, and this UP accent and the new role was very challenging, which is why I wanted to push myself and take this up. Coming back on Star, I've done shows earlier, I started off from here, I am proud to be associated with Star and DKP again. If it were any other production, I would have to think about it, but here, I immediately said yes because Rajan ji is great at story-telling and he understands how different characters are layered and textured. For this particular show, it is a brand in itself, I feel blessed to do this character and do the show. As for the prep, the accent is a challenge for me. In my first show, I took Hindi lessons, because my grammar was not right, with this show, I am putting in a lot of effort to get the dialect right and my house-help is helping me out with the same. I am enjoying it as we ensure we talk in that particular way, so it is fun. Also, everyone on the sets helps me as they are all very helpful around.

Any apprehensions about replacing someone in a show?

Definitely, I feel that you have to really be that way to replacing someone, because the audience is already connected to an actor, and that is always there. I believe there is always a risk, but I also feel that I am a risk-taker and for me, it is always about growth and improving yourself as an actor. It is really important to grow because this year is my 4th year as an actor and I have never got the chance to do this. Also, all the actors on the set, I learn something from them every day, so when I approach it, I do so as a new show, a new character, and a new challenge.

Have you followed the show?

I watched the show a little bit because of my friend Parvati, she was a part of Aye Mere Humsafar and this is our next show after that show, and it is a coincidence that we are back together. So I watched it for her, and I wanted to see the performances, also it is a brand in itself.

For example, Anupamaa is a show where people can relate to her character and even Pratigya, for that matter, the love that they have, the chemistry, and that she is righteous. Hence, I don't think there is something out of the blue that audiences can't connect to it because it wouldn't have worked otherwise, and the proof of the same is audiences' love.

- Tina Philip

The show stands for women empowerment, yet, there are stereotypes that do exist on Tv as far as female characters are concerned. What do you have to say?

I think content is always a reflection of society and the latter has to relate to it. So, I wouldn't say there are such stereotypes, and if there were such unrelatable things, then shows wouldn't be so popular. For example, Anupamaa is a show where people can relate to her character and even Pratigya, for that matter, the love that they have, the chemistry, and that she is righteous. Hence, I don't think there is something out of the blue that audiences can't connect to it because it wouldn't have worked otherwise, and the proof of the same is audiences love, and that is because they are loving it, and can relate. I think that is why TV does exist and is doing so well right now.

What has the first-hand response from the audience been so far?

I have got a mixed response with someone treating it as a fresh new entry and others, for the character of Meera, have their own things to say, I have received hate mails as well. But then when you play a negative role and when you come in between the love of two people, the audience is in pain, but I see the love of the audience for the show in that, and that is okay with me, as the show should do well.

Tell us something you are looking forward to exploring as an actor.

Every new project that I do, I should be pushing the envelope and going out of my comfort zone, because if you are not doing that, you don't learn something new. I remember how back in school, I couldn't solve a problem and the teacher told me that the point you don't know something is when you will learn something, and that has stayed. What I am doing now, I am learning the accent, I am trying hard to pick up the dialect and be natural. It was so sudden that I didn't even get the time, so this character and the setting of the story, the language, everything is new for me, going forward, whatever I do is about doing good characters, it is not about films or OTT. I think TV is a great foundation to hone your skills because the more you work, the better you get since we shoot for long hours. I hope to keep working and keep doing characters that push me out of my comfort zone.