Veteran film and TV actress Anita Raj is very happy with the continuous positive trajectory of her Colors show, Choti Sarrdaarni. “Our Rajesh Ram Singh production has gone from strength to strength with every passing week.”
“I had high hopes ever since I got the first narration. Not only is the story very powerful, but the entire unit is just right. We all have got along so well that I miss them whenever we get an off.”
“Here, I must credit the creative team for smartly casting only talented Punjabi lead actors (Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia and Avinesh Rekhi), for that really helps in getting the regional flavour right, in terms of diction and mannerisms, thereby endearing us to our audiences in core markets of Delhi – NCR, Punjab and Jammu,” says Anitaji, who was a well-known B-Town name in the eighties (Naukar Biwi Ka, Masterji, Zameen Aasman and more).
“This, in conjunction with a superb back-end team of writers and directors, is just what the doctor ordered. It is often said that if you have a great team, half the battle is won.”
Coming to her character, she says, “I am loving the way Kulwant Kaur Dhillon’s greyish layers are unravelling. For this street smart sarpanch, her family tops everything and she does what it takes for her daughter’s sake. However, she does not know that this politician’s wife is not white as a lily.”
“The best part is that since Kulwant is very unpredictable, it is really fun to play her, as I am getting to act out different emotions on a daily basis.”
On what separates Choti Sarrdaarni from other mundane family soaps, she says “I guess it is the father-son love. Sarajbeet (Avinash) also accepts Meher (Nimrit) as she is. Also, the fact that despite being pregnant, Meher still loves Param (Kevina Tak) who can’t live without her, is classic TV’s staple diet.”
Apart from this show, she also did a cameo in the upcoming Hiten Tejwani-led film, Mudda 370. “It has a strong story and hope it does well.”
Looking ahead, she would also be game for web series. “But yes, I am only looking for meaty characters, like Shefali Shah’s cop avatar in Delhi Crime (Netflix). If I ever land something like Game of Thrones, that would be like a dream come true.”