"Sakshi in 'Pehredaar Piya Ki' is DUMB, but in a cute way," -

Sony TV's Pehredaar Piya Ki continues to be the talk of the town and several people continue to express their opinions on the same. Amidst all this, the passing episodes on the show have only raised more eyeballs and we wonder where will all this lead to.

Also, actress, Meenu Panchal who is best known for her character in Kaala Teeka on Zee TV makes her return with this show as she plays Ratan's (Afaan Khan) sister on the show, Sakshi.

In a vis-a-vis conversation with the actress, we ask her about the negativity surrounding the show, her character and what can one expect from the show.

How do you think your character is different from the rest of your work so far?

It is totally different. This character is Meenu Panchal herself (minus the dumbness of the character). I have done positive and negative roles, but this one is totally different from all them. My character of Sakshi can be termed to be an exaggerated version of myself. However, there is not much of a comic element to Sakshi, even though she is kind of dumb, but still, she is cute and she even keeps iterating that she is not dumb. To describe Sakshi by an example would be that if there is a death of a loved one in a family, she will start searching for the right clothes to wear and do manicure and pedicure first. Even though she is genuinely feeling the grief, her priority will be looking good.

Even though there has been a lot of negativity surrounding the show, some cast members have been reiterating about the show having a youth connect! What do you have to say about that?

According to me, there are a lot of things which will connect. Some are thinking that just because the show is set in a Rajasthani backdrop, it doesn't mean that the setting is typical. The show will depict how a Rajasthani family resides in their palaces in today's modern era. The beauty of it is how the traditional practices in the show are maintained along with several modern elements.

What do you have to say about all the flak that the show is receiving so far?

I personally think that people's vision of having an approach towards the show is going in a direction we did not want it to go. The show doesn't promote child marriage and this should get clear when the show progresses with episodes passing by. The story is about Diya (Tejasswi Prakash Wayangankar), who is a sweet and beautiful girl, but takes a path-breaking decision once. Exactly why does she take this decision and what is the crux of it is what encapsulates the show. So, I hope things get better with time.

You have done a show like Kaala Teeka and now Pehredaar Piya Ki. Would you want to venture into the web setting as well?

Incidentally, I am doing a web series currently. And apart from that, I am an actor. Wherever and whenever I get to do anything new and different, I would love jumping and taking that opportunity. Both the mediums (TV and web) are completely different and where the latter is about connecting to the youth directly and being real exhibiting how the real world works. So, as an actor, if I am getting the fulfilment of working in all the possible mediums, that's what matters to me. I am not limiting myself to a medium and would like to keep exploring more.

Sony TV as a channel has been bringing out different shows like Beyhadh and Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi to name a few in the recent history. Even though they are very popular, the ratings are always a concern. Do you the think the same will act as a problem for Pehredaar..?

I don't think so. As you rightly said, Sony has been producing a range of shows in recent times like Beyhadh and Kuch Rang...With Pehredaar also, there is no problem of monotony and the way the characters are sketched, it's different and interesting. As soon as I heard about the whole premise of the show, I told my producers, Shashi and Sumeet Mittal, ye toh hit hai.

What is that one message you would like to give to your fans about the show?

I would just request the fans to give the show some time and not judge it so soon. There are a lot of things in the show which are different and need to be analysed in the true sense. From intricacies to costumes, everything on the show has been extensively worked upon and give it the chance it needs.