ARTICLE ON PARIDHI IN BOMBAY TIMES

HINA KHAN

Character name: Akshara in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Reel Age: 40 years Playing mother to: 25-year-old son Naksh and 11-year-old daughter Naira It took her a few meetings with the producer to convince herself to play mother. She says, "Initially, it was difficult. I was told it would be a different look and we would travel to Cape town for the shoot. It's the performance that counts and not the looks. The feedback has been very positive and encouraging from the audience."

PARIDHI SHARMA

Character name: Jodha in Jodha Akbar Reel age: 40 years Playing mother to: 20-year-old Salim The actress plays mother to actor Ravi Bhatia, who is almost her age. "It depends on the importance of the role and how seriously you take yourself. The show chronicles the journey of Jodha, from a daughter to a wife and eventually, a mother. The progression is natural.The audiences today understand that it's just a character," says she.

TORAL RASPUTRA

Character name: Anandi in Balika Vadhu Reel age: 38 years Playing mother to two children: 11-yearold twins Shivam and Nandini Toral found it quite difficult to play a mother at the outset. "I changed my look from a heavymakeup and jewellery-clad Anandi to a mother wearing simple and minimal makeup," she says. The two child artistes made the task of playing their mother easier for the actress. "They are smart. They call me didi and seek my suggestions during the shoot."

DEVOLEENA BHATTACHARJEE

Character name: Gopi bahu in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya Reel age: 43 years Playing mother to: 20-year-old Meera and 18-year-old Vidya The actress, by her own admission, was shocked when she learnt about the time leap that required her to make a transition to an old mother. She says, "God only knows how I convinced myself to play the part. I guess the character has now become an intrinsic part of me, but yes, it was indeed difficult in the beginning."

DEEPIKA SINGH

Character name: Sandhya in Diya Aur Baati Hum Reel age: 33 years Playing mother to: Six-year-old twins Ved and Vansh It took Deepika two months to say yes, as she kept thinking if she would get typecast as a mother. She says, "When I got to know about the leap, I had tears in my eyes. I hardly got to meet my mother earlier. The leap gave me a chance to be with her. She's always been strict and that shows in my portrayal too."

SNEHA WAGH

Character name: Ratan in Ek Veera Ki Ardaas... Veera Reel age: 45 years Playing mother to: 28-year-old Ranvijay and 23-year-old Veera Following the time leap, Sneha made the transition from playing a young mother to an ageing mom of grown-ups on the show. "Playing a mother to small kids was easier and I could do justice to the role of Ratan," she says. "But playing a mother to adults is a different ballgame. But that's what being an actor is all about -audiences should be convinced about me as the perfect mother. When I get into costume, I become the character. Off screen, I have a lifestyle like any other young girl and maintain my look as well."

AMRAPALI GUPTA

Character name: TanveerBegum Sahiba in Qubool Hai Reel age: 50 years Played mother to: 29-year-old Aahil and 25-year-old Rehan Amrapali had no clue what was in store for her post the time leap. She says, "I just knew I was playing Begum Sahiba. I was shocked to find that Karanvir Bohra would play my son Aahil. I was wondering if I had taken the right decision.I went ahead as the character was strong.Playing an older character, especially one who was also blind, was challenging as it required me to change my look, walk, voice and pace of dialogue delivery."