Things about SUPRIYA KUMARI

Her background
I am from Ranchi and was born and brought up in a typical middle-class family. My father is a banker and my mother a homemaker. I have two elder sisters and an elder brother. I completed my studies in Ranchi and majored in accountancy.

Her passion for acting
No one in my family is even remotely connected to the glamour world, leave aside acting. As a child, I was always interested in acting. After completing my studies, I moved to Mumbai.

I have also learnt Kathak and have travelled all over the country with my Guruji's troupe. So when I chose to move to Mumbai to make a career in acting, my family encouraged me.

Her struggle in Mumbai
Frankly speaking, I did not have to struggle much after coming here, a year ago.

I auditioned for different television serials. I got my first break when I landed a small role in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo. During that time, I auditioned for the lead role in Bairi Piya. As luck would have it, I got to play Amoli's role and thankfully, viewers have accepted it very well.

Her preparation for playing Amoli
The biggest challenge was to learn Marathi. Amoli's dialogues are a mix of Hindi and Marathi and here I didn't know a single word of Marathi. During the audition, my make-up artiste helped me learn a few phrases in Marathi and that is how I sailed through. Later on, my director and the creative team helped me learn the language. Playing Amoli involved crying a lot on screen. After I used glycerine for a couple of scenes, my eyes turned red and developed some problems. So I could not use glycerine after that. Later I got so involved in the show, I would cry effortlessly.

Her experience of working with Balaji
It has been great. Being a greenhorn, I had to learn everything from scratch. All my unit members have taught me everything patiently. Everyone encourages and appreciates good work. After working with them, I realise why Balaji is the best production house in the country.

I come from a small town where Balaji Telefilms is worshipped. So, just the fact that I am working with them makes me nothing short of a celebrity in my hometown. When I met Ekta recently she praised me and said she was satisfied with my work. It was really my dream come true.

Her off-screen relationship with Sharad Kelkar
He is one of the finest actors and human beings I have met. He has been in the industry for a long time but has no airs around him and is very humble. He has taught me a lot about acting. Though on screen we are constantly fighting with each other, the moment the camera goes off, we start cracking jokes and having a blast.