Actress Sonali Naik has joined Star Plus’ popular show Udne Ki Aasha produced by Rolling Tales and Rahul Tewary Productions, stepping into the role of Renuka Deshmukh after Radhika Vidyasagar. With the show taking a leap, Sonali has taken on the responsibility of bringing her own interpretation to the much-loved character.
Talking about what attracted her to the role, Sonali said, “Renuka is a very interesting character, and she has a different equation with all the family members. She has respect for her husband and can do anything for him, and that’s what I liked. I get to play a variety in this character.”
The actress shared that the combination of the show’s established success and the post-leap creative direction made it an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. “Udne Ki Aasha is a successful show, and Renuka’s character has always been interesting. When I got to know that the show was taking a leap and when I was approached, I found the role very promising and grabbed the opportunity,” she shared.
Joining an established show midway can come with its own challenges, especially when an actor has to step into a character that already has an audience connection. Sonali, however, says she prefers to trust the process and work closely with her director. “I am an actor who likes to work on impulse, and here, joining a show midway, I have left everything in our director’s hands as I would need guidance in the beginning. Definitely, as Sonali, I give my inputs. I will try my best, and I am a director’s actor,” she said.
She candidly admitted that her initial days on set required a steep learning curve. “The first two or three days were difficult as I had not watched every episode and had just watched some. Our director Rajesh sir explains everything so well and guides so well,” she said.
While stepping into Renuka’s shoes, Sonali also sees some similarities between herself and the character. “Renuka is a bit unpredictable. I am not like that, and my thoughts are fixed. Renuka is soft on the inside and hard outside, and I am a bit like that too,” the actress explained.
The warm welcome from the cast and production team has also helped Sonali settle into the new environment. The positive response has given her confidence as she works towards creating her own version of Renuka. “The feedback I have gotten from my co-actors and the production house has been good, and I am feeling good. The entire team welcomed me and gave me so much love. They understood me, and it helped me to be Renuka,” Sonali said.
She is also aware that winning over viewers who have already seen another actor play Renuka will take time. Rather than feeling pressured by the comparison, Sonali says she wants to focus on her work and trust the audience. “I understand that creating a new Renuka as Sonali will take time, but I trust my audience, and I believe in my work,” she said.
