 Sambhabana Mohanty is playing the negative role in Pyar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan. Show is fantasy fiction. Actress is well-known for character Damini.
Sambhabana Mohanty shares an exclusive conversation on doing Pyar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan, playing Damini and more
- Hello Sambhabana so how does it feel to be a part of this show?
Definitely overwhelming. I mean it is the biggest opportunity for me in my career. The fact that the show is doing great, the fact that I get to work with Shabbir Sir and portray the antagonist (my first) adds various layers and challenges to my performance and life in general. LSD films are amazing. They treat you like Family.
Especially both the Prateeks (producer-director duo), they are the reason Damini is Damini.
Prateek Sharma created Damini.
Prateek Shah blew life into Damini.
- Who do you get along most within the show?
I am usually someone who speaks her mind out without gauging the possibilities of what it might create amongst the listeners.
I believe not a lot of people aren’t fond of me, coz i just blurt out facts.
Not here I mean, throughout my life 🤣
I get along with the entire cast, with the direction and cinematography team. Even our creative! Also, hair & make-up & dress department 😂 I’m someone who’s always creating fun banters to keep the “mahaul” alive.
Tulsi (Keerti Nagpure) is especially a good friend.
- Playing an antagonist do you practice being this mean?
I was honestly very scared. I even told the channel and the production that I’m not the right cast 😂 especially with the fact that my mom is the epitome of negative characters in Odia film + tv industry.
But our director, Prateek Sir helped me with each and every word n nuance(s).
The things we show on TV are not usually the things that we do in real life. And I’ve seen it as a pattern that the actors essaying negative characters are especially sweet and kind.
I obviously don’t practice being meant. But i=I do have a streak in me that can turn real mean. I think all of us do, atleast everybody should have it in them, given the world we live in!
- How do you manage getting me time shooting for a daily?
I am not a morning person. I’ve always been an owl, never a lark, right from childhood. I’m sure it is because I was so invested in academics as a child, i used to study for nights together. I still do. And now that’s become a habit. Unfortunately for me, we have a 7-7 shift on almost all days. Lord, its difficult waking up before sunrise, i mean i could easily stay awake till sunrise or beyond, rather.
Plus, TV and the fact that we have a daily telecast, time management definitely becomes a life saver. Plus, i have add on PhD scholar-ly duties to take care of as well post shoot.
It’s been more than a year but yes, I manage. I believe it is all about being strict with your schedules without Dilly dallying and you can literally make time for anything!
- Shabbir Ahluwalia whats your rapport with him?
He is a gem of a person. I never expected him to be so kind and humble, given his achievements and stature.
You would not feel the pressure of his stardom around him. He always makes sure all of us feel like we are one and the same.
He’s jolly, always plays pranks, and initiates games for group bonding. Rapport wise, we’ve gelled pretty well. I get to learn so much from him. I’ll always be in awe of how he manages to be this perfect person!
Anybody who’s ever worked with him wouldn’t ever want to let go of him.
I remember my first scene with him. I was super nervous and jittery and i had to touch him, hold his face being his fiancée and i just couldn’t do it right. I was shivering. I couldn’t mess this up and that gave me a mini panic attack.
He literally asked the director to give us 5 mins. He told me “Tension mat lo, ho jayega. HUM SAATH MEIN KAR LENGE”. I cannot explain the kind of impact the word “hum” had on me. It still does. He made me feel like I’m his equal (i know i would never be) and we’re in this together.
I’m not kidding, i always say: Star Banna hai toh inke tarah Bano!
- How and why did you say yes to this project?
I had actually auditioned for the character of Radha. Much later, i got a revert saying they’d like to cast me as Damini, the antagonist.
I honestly wasn’t very interested at first. I genuinely thought I’d be bad 🙈
But Prateek Shah had a huge role to help me make up my mind. To help me believe that i was good enough to do it. And voila, i was there.
Also, it is a Shabbir Ahluwalia show. A very prominent character at that. Only a buffoon would back out from it.
- Any ott or films for you or TV is your medium
I’m open to anything and everything but, the concept and story has to be good.
Also, I’m not someone who’s comfortable with showing skin or making out on screen. So that’s a no no.
Stay tuned for TV serial latest news and updates
