‘It’s the role that chooses you’

Madirakshi Mundle, who plays Parvati in SET’S Vighnaharta Ganesh, tells MUSBA HASHMI the attraction of playing mythological characters, challenges faced and how acting happened to her

How did you come on board Vighnaharta Ganesh?

I had just concluded work for another project in late 2020 after the lockdown was lifted. That is when I got a call from the casting team at Contiloe Pictures stating that the makers of Vighnaharta Ganesh wanting to know if I was interested in playing the role of Goddess Parvati. I screen tested and the team promptly brought me on board as Goddess Parvati. It is a deeply fortunate turn of events since Lord Ganesha is my favourite deity. I do believe that such a character chooses you and not the other way round. So I consider my landing the role as Goddess Parvati’s blessings.

You have played Sita, Lakshmi and now Parvati, is there a lesson that you learnt while playing such strong characters?

First of all, I feel extremely fortunate to have essayed these Goddesses on the TV screen. Sita, Lakshmi and Parvati are all Goddesses from our epics whose stories of virtue, ennobling qualities, benevolence and deep intrinsic strength we have all grown up with and have deep reverence for. They are often and commonly invoked as role models in everyday discourse. I have said this before; people are attached to them & they are deeply integral to our culture and mythology. So the audience’s feelings towards them are of paramount importance when I essay such a role. Plus people have a certain image that they attach with such a character, in their minds.

Is it hard to play a mythological character?

Yes it is. What happens in the process of essaying any mythological character is you have the tremendous challenge to bring an image inside the audience’s minds and hearts to life. The audience knows and understands and therefore anticipates in a sense what they see when it comes to characters from mythology. Obviously they are also emotionally attached when it comes to their favourite deities. The costumes, sets, lighting & backdrops are therefore very elaborate since the genre demands grandeur. I also think the dialogues are definitely amongst the toughest you’ll hear in the medium given they are in chaste Hindi. Emoting with all this to convey a look and feel that the audience will respond and relate to is by no means easy. It, however, is definitely rewarding when the audience responds to these efforts with their wholehearted affection & blessings.

What are the challenges of playing such characters?

Preparation wise, I have always tried my best to absorb the creative vision shared with me and blended it with my own understanding of these characters from the stories I’ve heard & discovered growing up. Preparation always helps and I always try to put in my own effort by reading up or listening time permitting. I have striven to portray the qualities these Goddesses are identified with by our audience through my craft. The audience’s love, affection and blessings have been a strong source of motivation to me for all of them.

How did acting happen to you?

Quite by accident! I have actually worked for several years as a professional interior designer with commercial and residential projects. I frankly wasn’t looking to get into acting but I have endorsed Jewellery & Traditional wear alongside my work as an Interior Designer. Funnily, for over six months I kept not showing up for the screen test for my debut show on TV. When I finally showed up for the screen test, things just took off. We were on floor for my TV debut in under a week after that at Ramoji Rao Film City.

Are there any other projects in the pipeline?

Well, I keep getting calls for projects and a few discussions are underway for TV as well as OTT projects. Covid restrictions have led to shooting locations being moved across the country and so I am taking my time to finalise. I hope at this time everyone stays home and safe with their loved ones and takes care in these difficult times. I genuinely hope that we all emerge swiftly and stronger from this spandemic.

Source: The Pioneer