An article by THE HINDU on 'SWB'

We are all pawns in the hands of destiny. A good turn of fate becomes a bed of roses. These thoughts cross my mind as I speak to Kratika Sengar, who is now playing the lead role in Zee TV's new show Service Wali Bahu. Now a well-known actorthanks to the pivotal role she played in Zee TVs hit shows Jhansi Ki Rani and "unarvivaah, Kratika unlike many others did not have to go from one studio to another in search of a break. A product of Amity University's Mass Media department she acted in her friend's 12 minute film. Her friend who wanted to pursue films sent it to Balaji Telefilms where by chance Ekta Kapoor saw it and enquired about Kratika. Soon she got a call from Balaji Telefilms and following an audition, was cast in their show Kasauti Zindagi Ki. She did not play any important role but got enough attention to be signed for serials like Jhansi Ki Rani and Punarvivaah. The actor remarks, "I was doing specialisation in advertising. I had no interest in acting. ne of my friends, who was doing specialisation in films made a short film casting me. Luckily I got a break and my acting career took off."

For the portrayal of Payal Rai in Service Wali Bahu, she had to work on her accent to make it look authentic as the story is set in the small town of Jamshedpur. "I was born and brought up in Kanpur where we used to say hum. When I came to Delhi for higher studies hum turned into main and then I got married in a Punjabi family so everything changed. For me to adapt to Bihari accent was a bit difficult which was the biggest challenge for me."

About the show Kratika says, "The show traces the journey of Payal Rai who is from a small town where girls are not encouraged for higher education and go out to work but Payal has got immense support from her family to achieve what she wants in life. She is an ambitious girl having her family values intact. A girl who falls into a trap of a new-aged dowry system where her in-laws look to her as a healthy source of family income."

Krtaika believes, "Service Wali Bahu like most other serials cater to women audiences and is aimed at smaller towns where people are home by sunset. So, the 6:30 p.m. slot is apt."

("Service Wali Bahu" premieres on February 23rd and will air from Monday to Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on Zee TV.)