Television actors often become closely associated with the characters they play, especially when a show runs for a long time. For Adrija Roy, who is currently seen as Raahi in Star Plus and Rajan Shahi’s Anupamaa, playing a popular character also comes with the responsibility of constantly growing as an actor. Talking about whether audience familiarity can sometimes become limiting, Adrija says, “I think it can happen because when people see you as one character for a long time, they naturally start associating you with that personality. But as an actor, I always want to explore different shades and not let one character define me. I would love for the audience to be surprised by what I do next.”
Television also comes with a demanding shooting schedule, where actors may have very little time to prepare for emotionally heavy scenes. Speaking about her process, she says, “I try to understand the emotion behind a scene rather than overthink it. Sometimes you get a scene at the last minute, and you have to trust your understanding of the character. I feel being present in that moment is more important than trying to make everything perfect.”
Adrija also believes that an actor should have the freedom to bring their own understanding to a scene. She adds, “If I feel my character would react differently, I like to discuss it with the director. It is never about changing something just for the sake of it. Sometimes a small suggestion can make a scene feel more natural.”
Social media has become another important part of an actor’s relationship with the audience. “Social media can be overwhelming at times because you get so many opinions, but it also tells you what connects with people. Sometimes even a simple comment from a viewer makes you realise that a particular scene touched them, and that stays with you,” she says.
For Adrija, keeping a balance between herself and her character is equally important. She says, “There will always be a little bit of me in every character, but I also have to know when to step back and let the character speak.”
She adds that some of the most memorable moments as an actor are often the ones viewers never get to see, from rehearsals and conversations backstage to the small choices made before a scene begins. “Those moments are a big part of the actor’s journey too,” she concludes.
