I’m what I’m because of Parvati

Says Sonarika Bhadoria, who shot to nationwide fame with her stint as Goddess Parvati in ‘Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev’. The Mumbai beauty is making her Telugu debut with ‘Jadoogadu’ alongside Naga Shaurya

Though actress Sonarika is making her cinematic debut with Telugu flick ‘Jadoogadu’, she is a face familiar to all dedicated television followers. Having shot to fame with her stint as Goddess Parvati in ‘Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev’, the Mumbai-bred girl shares that the thought of becoming an actor had never crossed her mind.

“It happened because of my family, relatives and people who loved me. When I was a little girl, I was good at everything – singing, dancing or drawing. Whenever there was a family get-together or any other outing, everyone encouraged me to exhibit my talent. They felt that I had it in me to be an actor. Such comments grew on me,” says the actress in a conversation with Hans Talkies. “My mother is the reason behind my acting stint. She always dreamt of seeing me as a big league star and it is that dream I’m fulfilling right now,” she adds.

Sonarika recalls how casting directors saw a spark in her the first time they noticed her. “My aunt was working as a designer for a few TV shows. She took me to the house warming ceremony of an actor and it was there that I met many casting directors. They told her that ‘TV needs such pretty faces’. But I took my time before taking that plunge into showbiz.

My Class X board exams were looming large and my dad wanted me to give priority to education,” she recalls, adding, “The casting directors were literally after me (smiles). It was only after I gave my junior college exams that I decided to give acting a shot. I spoke to my dad about it and he was okay with the idea this time around.”

After her debut show ‘Tum Dena Saath Mera’, the actress got the opportunity to play Parvati in ‘Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev’, which gave her career a huge impetus. She says it was a turning point in her career. “After the first show, I was offered the role of Parvati. I was like, ‘I’m just 19! Why are you offering this role to me?’ Nonetheless, I was a fan of the show and so was my family. I said no at first but agreed after my family and producers convinced me,” she smiles.

She continues, “The show gave me everything and the impact of my role was such that people touched my feet to seek blessings! Some even wanted to offer aarti to me during Navrathri.” She, however, left the show after a year to pursue a career in mainstream cinema. “I got interesting Bollywood offers during the show but I had to adhere to the contract (of Life OK channel) and let them go.”

So, how did ‘Jadoogadu’ happen? “My manager was in constant touch with director Yogi. I said no to the project twice but when they approached me for the third time after three months, I understood that they really wanted me to play the part. I came to Hyderabad for the narration.The city and the way the principal crew of the film welcomed me was something which pleased me. It felt like I was at my second home,” she informs.

Coincidentally, she plays Parvati in the film, “a family entertainer interspersed with romance, action and comedy in equal proportions.” “I play Shaurya’s love interest. She is the only constant factor in his life and is his driving force. Both have their own set of goals and dreams. How they turn their aspirations into one big dream and work towards it forms the crux of the film,” she signs off.

By Nagaraj Goud