Living her dream

Deepali Pansare has been “the face” of many soaps. The actress shares her journey into television

When did the acting bug bite you?

I always wanted to be an actor. I started to perform since I was five, before my family, friends and at school. I always loved it. When I thought I will take it as career my family did not brace me. They wanted me to do something better. According to them 9-5pm job was something which is safe. So they urged me to pursue computer science. After sometime I realised I’m not at all happy and then I started my stint in acting.

How did you grab your first show ‘Hum Ladkiyan’?

You people won’t believe. I was working for Birla’s Grasim industry. The moment I got holidays I used to visit Mumbai, to give auditions and go back to my work life. I did not quit my job until I got my first project. Before this show I have given at least 200-300 auditions. One day I got call and they told me that I got selected in this show. So I took that opportunity and I resigned from my previous job.

You shot to fame with the character “Payal” from ‘Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon’, how did that happened?

I was doing ‘Dhund Lenge Manzil Hum’ and I signed one contract with Imagine too. Somehow I bumped into ex-director of ‘Dill Mill Gaye’ and he was also producer of ‘Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon’. He did not recognise me. I nudged his memory a little and said: “I worked for you in ‘Dill Mill Gaye.’”. He reply was, “Will you do my other show?” Subsequently, I gave an audition and I bagged the role.

The show had a rerun on HotStar app with finite episodes of epilogue, how does it feel when you get same love from fans after three years also?

‘Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon’ has given me something, which I can’t describe. People come to India from UK and USA to meet us. They love us. They actually follow us in real life too. I haven’t seen such fan following in my whole career. This show has given me good exposure. I’m over whelmed with much love and appreciation from them.

According to you what is your best performance till date and why?

The first episode of ‘Code Red’ is my best performance. The show is produced by Anushman Kishore Singh. He is my teacher. I started working with him in ‘Devi’ on Imagine. For the first episode of ‘Code Red’ he called me and said he wanted me to portray a role of girl, who faces turbulent times from the age of 17 to 32. It was a very different character and I was overwhelmed when my teacher appreciated me for my role, who has seen me working in the industry for six odd years.

Post marriage what changes did you undergo?

Nothing. I was dating Suveer from eight years. Now we were married for one-and-half-year. We are still like boyfriend-girlfriend. For me nothing is changed. I got an extended family. I don’t think marriage changes you; it all depends on how you feel.