Anushka Merchende, who is seen as Koel in Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah’s Pukaar: Dil Se Dil Tak, which is produced under their banner Studio LSD, feels TV gives instant popularity and is not limited to just one or two shows. She said, “I believe that the popularity will only increase further. It does not decrease because once you do a show, your face gets known to the audience, and then if you keep on doing different shows, your popularity gradually increases.”
“TV is a huge medium, and it does give you the limelight that actors crave, and you also get to learn a lot,” she added.
However, she believes it is difficult to maintain the success of the industry. She said, “You have to constantly work hard, and there is a whole process of getting a show that you have to go through regardless of whether you are successful or not, from auditions to mock shoots to workshops, everything. So, yes, it is difficult, but just be constant in your work and believe in yourself.”
Asked if Anushka feels that the screen time starts decreasing over time, she said, “I believe it depends on the actor what role they want to play." It is the actors who audition for the roles and choose their parts. If you want to play the lead, you audition for the lead, if you want to play the second lead, you audition for that part. TV gives you the opportunity, it does not force you to play the part. I don’t think TV follows a fixed pattern.”
Her motivation to come to the set daily is her character Koel, she said, “The urge to do something new with my character Koel. The energetic scenes and Koel’s drama. I love playing Koel. It brings out the inner child in Anushka.”
Anushka also pointed out that it’s important to have a good atmosphere on the set, and thanked the team of Pukaar… for the lovely atmosphere. She said, “I am an introvert, and I don’t do pranks, but yes, we do have a lot of fun while shooting.”