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Meet Draupadi from Mahabharat
Times of India
Delhi girl Pooja Sharma, a student of Commerce and International Relations moved to Mumbai a couple of years ago to make a career in the film industry. She never had the slightest idea that the first show she would bag would be producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Magnum Opus 'Mahabharat'.
TOI gets into a conversation with the beautifulPooja Sharma discussing her role, comparison with other actresses and lots more.
TOI gets into a conversation with the beautifulPooja Sharma discussing her role, comparison with other actresses and lots more.
Likes of Yuvika Chowdhary and Anupriya Kapoor were rumoured to have been offered the role. How did you bag this epic role?
Well honestly, I am a very happy go lucky kind of a person. I was not aware of any such audition going on in the city and even if I knew, I would not really have gone for it. So one day when I was sleeping, I got a call that the auditions were going on and I should give it a shot. I took this very lightly and asked my friend if I could come the next day as I was sleeping. But he said it could not be postponed any further and it was the last day for the audition so I had to come anyhow. Though I was not really enthusiastic but still went ahead for it.
Firstly, I was prepared for a look test where I donned these extremely heavy costumes, royal makeup, extensive hairdo and later I was given these really heavy lines to deliver. I think the transition happened at the very same moment when I got into the costume. There was this sudden power and connection I felt towards the character. I still get gooseflesh when I think of it. The entire feeling was very divine and pure. I could feel I was 'Draupadi'.
So after the audition I came home and was not really expecting something like this would come my way. But after 4 - 5 days I got a call from the production house informing me that I had been selected. And it was really wonderful. I have not begun shooting yet, but with the amount of planning and effort that has gone into the show, I am sure it is going to come up beautifully.
Your role is one of the most anticipated one and going by the promos you've already created a buzz. How easy or difficult was it to get into the act?
You know when I think or read about Draupadi, all I can say is 'what a woman'! I mean portraying her life, her character is definitely a huge task. But all thanks to Rajit Kapoor, his creative sessions and support from the entire team. I have understood various shades of her character properly. No matter what all she had to go through, Draupadi was a woman who lived her life in a really dignified way. No one could or will ever look down upon her. From the producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary to the costume designer Bhanu Athaiya to the entire cast, everyone was really drawn to the character.
When it comes to the physical aspect of portraying the character, it was no cake walk either. From the heavy costumes, to the jewellery, it's not easy to carry it for long. Now when I visit the sets, I just don't feel like myself anymore. It is an instant transition I undergo.
In the past, popular actresses like Roopa Ganguly and Anita Hassandani played the character of Draupadi. Comparison to them is almost inevitable. How have you prepared yourself for it? Did you get in touch with them to discuss the chaarcter?
Draupadi's life was very eventful where she experienced easy and difficult times, underwent sacrifices, experienced happiness, love, betrayal and almost all the emotions one can probably imagine. I have tried to imbibe the essence of her character. As to how far I have succeeded, only time will tell.
So what's next in the offing?
Well, I have not begun shooting for Mahabharat and once I start, I'll be shooting continuously for the next 6 - 7 months. Those are definitely going to be the most wonderful months of my life. And the rest depends on time.
Well honestly, I am a very happy go lucky kind of a person. I was not aware of any such audition going on in the city and even if I knew, I would not really have gone for it. So one day when I was sleeping, I got a call that the auditions were going on and I should give it a shot. I took this very lightly and asked my friend if I could come the next day as I was sleeping. But he said it could not be postponed any further and it was the last day for the audition so I had to come anyhow. Though I was not really enthusiastic but still went ahead for it.
Firstly, I was prepared for a look test where I donned these extremely heavy costumes, royal makeup, extensive hairdo and later I was given these really heavy lines to deliver. I think the transition happened at the very same moment when I got into the costume. There was this sudden power and connection I felt towards the character. I still get gooseflesh when I think of it. The entire feeling was very divine and pure. I could feel I was 'Draupadi'.
So after the audition I came home and was not really expecting something like this would come my way. But after 4 - 5 days I got a call from the production house informing me that I had been selected. And it was really wonderful. I have not begun shooting yet, but with the amount of planning and effort that has gone into the show, I am sure it is going to come up beautifully.
Your role is one of the most anticipated one and going by the promos you've already created a buzz. How easy or difficult was it to get into the act?
You know when I think or read about Draupadi, all I can say is 'what a woman'! I mean portraying her life, her character is definitely a huge task. But all thanks to Rajit Kapoor, his creative sessions and support from the entire team. I have understood various shades of her character properly. No matter what all she had to go through, Draupadi was a woman who lived her life in a really dignified way. No one could or will ever look down upon her. From the producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary to the costume designer Bhanu Athaiya to the entire cast, everyone was really drawn to the character.
When it comes to the physical aspect of portraying the character, it was no cake walk either. From the heavy costumes, to the jewellery, it's not easy to carry it for long. Now when I visit the sets, I just don't feel like myself anymore. It is an instant transition I undergo.
In the past, popular actresses like Roopa Ganguly and Anita Hassandani played the character of Draupadi. Comparison to them is almost inevitable. How have you prepared yourself for it? Did you get in touch with them to discuss the chaarcter?
Draupadi's life was very eventful where she experienced easy and difficult times, underwent sacrifices, experienced happiness, love, betrayal and almost all the emotions one can probably imagine. I have tried to imbibe the essence of her character. As to how far I have succeeded, only time will tell.
So what's next in the offing?
Well, I have not begun shooting for Mahabharat and once I start, I'll be shooting continuously for the next 6 - 7 months. Those are definitely going to be the most wonderful months of my life. And the rest depends on time.
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