For actor Debchandrima Singha Roy, stepping into the shoes of Soumya in Star Plus’ new show Yeh Fitoor Tera, produced by Ved Raj’s Story Square Productions, is a refreshing departure from her past work. Having spent nine years in the television industry—spanning both Kolkata and Hindi projects—Debchandrima was deliberately waiting for a role that would push her creative boundaries. The show premieres tonight, 5 August on Star Plus.
Reflecting on what drew her to the character, Debchandrima shares, “Soumya is very different. When you are doing similar kinds of roles, you obviously tend to wait and look for a different character altogether. That is what I was waiting for, which would allow me to explore something new. Soumya’s character drew me to it. She is very different from who I am in real life.”
Describing the journey of her character, she explains, “Soumya is an innocent girl who has not seen the outside world. She has been in a girls’ school. She wants to change, but needs a push. She wants someone to be with her and take her into the new world. When she goes to the co-ed college for the first time and meets a guy like Jeet, who is rebellious and lives life on his own terms, it brings a new feeling to her.”
Playing someone so starkly different from her real personality requires conscious effort every day. “I need to do a lot to become Soumya. Deb is an outspoken person; I will not think twice when telling someone that he is wrong. I will not wait for anyone to be my support when I say it loud. I have been the ‘badmash’ baccha in my group (laughs). Soumya is scared of standing up for herself. She is protective about her emotions. I consciously try not to bring my real personality on set. This is what I practise every day to play Soumya authentically, as I do not want any of my positive personality to reflect in Soumya,” she says.
Adapting to Soumya’s quieter demeanour has also meant changing her routine on set. “I have a lot of energy within me, and I need time, opportunity, and space to channelise it. So the moment the cut is called, I usually start talking to people on set. But now, I am trying not to talk much on the set. I am getting used to it, and in a few months, I will fully change myself, and I am sure of it,” Debchandrima notes.
When asked about references given for her role, she reveals, “I was given the reference of the female lead in Tere Naam when I was given my first narration. But situations and shoot style are different in film and TV. I try not to copy from the reference.”
A key highlight of the show is the dynamic between the lead characters, Jeet and Soumya. Speaking on her equation with co-star Ishaan Dhawan, Debchandrima shares, “I am comfortable around Ishaan. That’s very important to bring good chemistry. We are trying to understand each other’s working style. We want to be in sync when it comes to our scenes. The bonding will happen organically.”
Summing up the essence of Yeh Fitoor Tera, she emphasises that the show goes far beyond a standard romance. “It’s not a typical love story. There is a lot to narrate. Jeet lives in his own world and so does Soumya. This is a story of growing up, finding yourself, getting to understand and knowing love. At times when a stranger comes into your life, there are a lot of new feelings. The crux is about an unexpected person changing one’s life. When the two worlds of Soumya and Jeet meet, it creates a beautiful new world.”
In playing Soumya, Debchandrima has even found a personal takeaway: “I want to be soft like Soumya, and I want to fight less with people (smiles).”
