EXCLUSIVE: Tenali Rama actress Aasiya Kazi shares how the lockdown has changed her life

Talent has always been a barometer for many actors and while many have lived up to it to the fullest, actress Aasiya Kazi has been lucky enough to fulfill her dreams and play the roles she wished for. Now, we see her play Sharda on Tenali Rama, but let us tell you that Aasiya has played lots of diverse roles in her career so far. And that’s how she likes to keep her professional choices. 

While she had taken a break from work due to her shoulder injury, she returned back on set with a bang. In an exclusive interview with Instafeed, Aasiya talks about her show, her journey, and her passion for acting. Read on…

In 2009, you played the lead role in Bandini and it was loved by many, now we see you play Sharda in Tenali Rama. How amazing has your journey been?

I started my career with Bandini, currently, I am doing Tenali Rama, but I feel TV has been lucky for me because I kept getting work back to back. And every character that I was offered from very different from the other, like my character in Bandini of Santu Dharmraj Mayavanshi was very soft-spoken and shy. However, Sharda in Tenali Rama is very loud and crazy. You can expect anything from her. These days there are lots of diverse characters and whichever role I played has been very different.

As you mentioned about playing diverse roles, I want to understand what is so special about your role in Tenali Ram that makes it so enjoyable?

Dong comedy is very enjoyable itself, the atmosphere on the set is also very nice. It’s a lot of fun because you don’t have to do an emotional scene or given an intense performance. I ad thought a lot before taking up the Tenali Ram offer since I had never tried comedy before. But now I enjoy the show. It’s a challenge in itself and to be honest, I am enjoying playing the role of Sharda. 

Due to the lockdown, since you couldn’t go on the set, what did you do? How was the entire experience of being at home?

In the start, everyone was waiting for the lockdown to get over, no one knew that this would go on for so long. And as the lockdown kept getting extended, I started missing being on the sets, I was eagerly waiting to face the camera and I was waiting to dress up like Sharda and play her character. But I spent time with my family during this phase. Also, the language used in Tenali Rama is very difficult, and I found it tough when I started off, but with time I got comfortable with it. But after lockdown when we started shooting again, it got tougher, because I lost the flow. Now I am relearning that Hindi, I don’t think it’s very easy to do this show, but I am happy to be a part of it. 

How is your shoulder pain now, because due to this fans were missing you on the show?

The treatment is still going on, the physiotherapy is on the issue will take some time to heal. I have also spoken about this with the production house. Since Tenali Rama is a daily soap, even if they want, they cannot keep waiting for a long time. They are trying to make me rest as much as they can and they don’t make me shoot for 12-13 hours. The production house is very supportive. I cannot sit or stand for a very long time and I am trying to get fine as soon as I can because I don’t like to live with this pain. 

After this shoulder issue gets treated, what precautions do you plan to take?

The reason why the shoulder issues hasn’t healed properly is because I took a lot of time to understand it. The issue has increased for the past 6-7 years, but the pain wasn’t so much back then, so I ignored it and just take medicines. But at one pint the pain was very unbearable, I saw a doctor and even took some medicines, but it didn’t get better. Then I started physiotherapy and it helped. My entire vacation went by in getting the shoulder treated. I have been advised bed rest and I don’t think the production house can wait beyond a month. I go to sleep onset whenever I get free time. Other than this, I cannot stand or sit for long and I cannot even drive. 

During this Corona phase what precautions do you take before going to the set?

There are a lot of precautions being taken on set, like the dress, makeup, and hair department have been compulsorily asked to wear PPE kits. This is because they are the closest to the actor and everyone is making sure to take all precautions in the right manner.  

Who was your very first friend on the set of Tenali Rama?

When I came on board for Tenali Rama, Dhruvi and Krishna were already a part of the show, and I would have most of the scenes with them. So, we share a great bond, even with Amma my bond is great, our chemistry has become so great that we cannot perform without each other because during a close up we prompt each other for our lines. I am learning a lot on this show. 

What has been your most special moment on Tenali Rama?

The scene between Amma and Sharda was the most challenging for me, I remember, the entire unit was tensed. No one knew how would it go and how long would it take. But before joining the show I had seen all previous episodes, especially that scene, so I knew what to do and as I got to know about the schedule, I called for the script a day in advance and the scene everyone was scared of finished I one take only and everyone was relieved. That was the happiest day for me on sets. 

How do you choose your characters and which of your roles is the closest to the real Aasiya?

I have been lucky to play different roles in every show, I have played all kinds of roles and whatever I liked about them, I apply it to my real life. But it is Sharda’s role which is the closest to my real self, I am as expressive and as talkative as her. My first character will always be the closest to my heart. 

Do you plan to do films in the future?

I don’t have any such plans, for now, I am very happy doing television. But yes, I would like to do a family drama or a web-series. 

What are your future projects?

I have been talking to a lot of people, giving lots of screen tests and look tests. Right now I am doing Tenali Rama, but I am also choosing my projects very carefully because I want to do some good work in the future. 

Written by Nawaz Kochra