TV actress Pankhuri Awasthy has hit a home run. Currently, she is a part of one of the highly-rated and longest-running daily soaps on the tube, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Concomitantly, she is shooting for her first Bollywood movie, Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhaan, a sequel to the 2017 film Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. Awasthy who made her debut on TV in 2014, plays Kusum, a girl who falls in love with a man who turns out to be gay, in the movie. Although it was recently revealed that she'll be a part of the movie, Awasthy was finalised for the part "three and a half months ago." And ironically, Awasthy bagged her above mentioned TV show the very next day she was finalised to play Kusum. Also Read - Trending TV News Today: Charu Asopa wants divorce from Rajeev Sen, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah gets new Nattu Kaka and more
"This was basically approximately 3 and a half months back when I got finalised," Awasthy shared in an exclusive chat with BollywoodLife. "It was through an audition. I was in Kerala when I got the call (audition call). When I got confirmed for the movie a day later I also got confirmed for the TV show. But back then it was a cameo for three months so I thought I had all the time. I informed the production house regarding my dates." However, her track on the TV show has been extended, resulting in shuffling between two things for Awasthy. Nonetheless, she has no qualms about it and she surely is not putting her papers down on the show. "I'm not quitting (Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai)," she asserts adding, "It is hectic but I have a commitment to both. I’m not getting any day off but I’m happy because that’s the kind of life an actor wants. Working on both the mediums at the same time, I don’t think so I could have asked for more." Also Read - TRP Report Week 25: Anupamaa TRUMPS; Naagin 6, Kundali Bhagya maintain positions; Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin dips further [Top 5 TV shows]
Talking about the script of her movie, which is written by director Hitesh Kewalya, the 28-year-old says, "It is hilarious. I was laughing while reading the script. The crux of the story is love. It’s commendable how subtly and softly they have brought out the message." Also Read - Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Twist: Abhimanyu REJECTS a girl in the best way possible; AbhiRa fans say, 'He's class apart' [VIEW TWEETS]
Awasthy who is married to her Suryaputra Karn co-star Gautam Rode points out that he has been her biggest support system. "Gautam has been an integral part of my journey. When you have work and when you don’t, when things are not working, he has been a constant filler and reassurance that things will work. This is also something where you get the opportunity to experiment on a platform that you don’t think you'd be able to, because you're so in the rut of TV. So this was slightly out of the box. And you have all your apprehensions whether it will work out or not? Because you don't know, you don't foresee something like this. So it came as a surprise to me also. And he was obviously very happy and supportive."
Pankhuri reveals that before the movie and the TV show, the gap of around a year and a half was due to things not materialising. "It was a little frustrating," Pankhuri says, "A lot of interesting offers came and somehow they didn’t materialise. But I owe it to the time. When you are destined to do certain things you do."
Pankhuri is quite elated to be a part of the movie which deals with homosexuality. In the movie, Ayushmann Khurrana is going to be paired with Jeetendra Kumar, as we first reported. Talking about their pairing Pankhuri says, "It’s a good pairing, they are fun." Ask her if the two look cute together, she chuckles, "Yes, they do. It is going to be interesting."
Pankhuri is currently shooting with the team in Varanasi for the movie. The heavy rains are playing spoilsport but nonetheless the actress is enjoying.
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