Bada Naam Karenge: Anjana Sukhani talks about her role, working with Sooraj Barjatya and more

New Delhi: Recently released web series, titled Bada Naam Karenge, is winning the hearts of OTT lovers online. You will be amazed to know that renowned Bollywood director Sooraj Barjatya serves as the showrunner of Bada Naam Karenge, which marks the foray of the filmmaker’s family banner – Rajshri Productions – into the streaming space. Playing a pivotal role in the series is Anjana Sukhani.

The 46-year-old actress, in an exciting conversation with News9 Live, not only talked about her character in Bada Naam Karenge but also spoke her heart about how the entertainment industry has changed over the years. Sukhani even discussed what she feels about social media.

Q: Shed some light on Bada Naam Karenge and your role in it.
A: Yes, the show is a quintessential Rajshri show. Rajshri films are known for family dynamics, relationships and interpersonal relationships in families, particularly. So this show is not different in that sense. Of course, it deals with the dynamics of interpersonal relationships within families and is beautifully enveloped in a love story between a young couple. Basically, I play the character of Nita Jaiswal, who is the boy’s aunt. It’s very beautifully woven into the story. Again, this is a character I have not really explored much in my acting journey. So this is something different, with much more depth, even more than Saas Bahu Achaar I feel, because there is not too much verbal communication. There isn’t a lot of talking, but it’s more about her eyes, her presence and what she’s going through. It’s about what the audience feels for her when they watch the show. I think I am probably the least vocal actor in the entire series.

Q: You have worked with blockbuster directors such as Nikkhil Advani and Rohit Shetty in your career. How different was it working with a seasoned filmmaker and showrunner like Barjatya?
A: You know, it has been nothing short of magic with them. Like I said, they are known for exploring human dynamics and that is exactly what we have done here. I always say that in Rajshri films, and particularly in this show, the enemy is never an outsider. The enemy is always within you. You are fighting a battle with yourself more than with anybody else. And that, I think, is their beautiful quality: establishing a human connection. Suraj ji explores this so beautifully. I actually heard one of his interviews where he said that this story had been with him for a very long time. Eventually, of course, how it unfolded and how they came to write and execute it was nothing short of a magical journey with Rajshri.

Q: How involved was Barjatya during the filming of Bada Naam Karenge?
A: Suraj ji was there on set. Unfortunately, I missed meeting him a few times because every time my schedule started, he had just left, or when I left, he was coming in. We shot extensively in Indore for the entire show, and parts of it in Bombay and Ujjain. I don’t know if it was unfortunate or what, but every time he was there, I wasn’t. I finally met him at the interviews. He was just so nice and humble.

Q: From working in advertisements with Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan to OTT shows, how has the industry changed since you started your career?
A: I think it’s the same, and yet it has changed. Social media has drastically changed the outlook for everyone. There was a time when people were literally cast depending on the number of followers they had. That does not resonate with me because I think I should be cast for my craft, not the number of followers I have. But yeah, everything comes with its pros and cons, for the better and maybe a little bit for the worse.

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Q: What impact has the emergence of streaming platforms had on the showbiz world?
A: The business dynamics have changed. I am not a different actor on OTT and a different actor in films. I am still the same actor, reeling in the same emotions. From an artist’s point of view, nothing has changed, except that there are far more characters to choose from. As an artist, you can now explore a lot more because OTT gives you that kind of freedom. Other than that, I do not see a drastic change for artists.

Q: Has the process of choosing a role also changed?
A: Yes, it has. Of course, I’ve done leads in films, but on OTT, it’s more about the characters. It is not about I am the lead. It is about who is driving the story. It is not just the face of the show driving the story. These characters act as catalysts in taking the story forward or changing the story. OTT is all about characters, while films are more about being the lead, the hero or heroine. I do not think that the concept of hero or heroine works on OTT anymore.

Q: As an artiste, is there now any pressure to be active on social media?
A: Yes, and I hate it. If I had my way, I would delete Instagram today. But again, it has its pros and cons. It is a nice way to connect with your audience and fans. But too much information and exposure can also harm. If people have seen everything on Instagram, why would they spend four hours watching you in a show or buy a ticket to see you in a theater? This is my understanding. I could be wrong. There are people who are extremely active on social media and still slay it as actors. But if I had a choice, I Would not be on social media. My profession demands it. So, yeah, whatever.