KRATIKA SENGAR

Kratika Sengar, of the blazing blade and flashing eyes, stands tall as a symbol of patriotism — courtesy her war on the British in Jhansi Ki Rani — in the soapy world of Hindi serials. As the saga of Laxmibai nears its battle-heavy end after a run of 400-plus episodes, Kratika spoke to t2 on the sidelines of Zee TV’s Project Protsahan event in Mumbai, where she handed over a bravery award to Manjit Kaur, a 19-year-old woman boxer.

How did you come to television?

I was doing a mass communication course and was interning in an advertising agency. One of my seniors was doing an internship with Balaji Telefilms. She asked me to audition for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, but I kept laughing during the audition. Maybe Ekta (Kapoor) liked that and gave me the role (of Sanchi opposite Naman Shaw).

How has playing Laxmibai changed you?

I always thought of myself as an introvert, homely girl. I think I have become so expressive now that I find it difficult to believe I was ever shy.

The last couple of months have been spent on the ‘battlefield’. How has it been?

You know what, I was a basketball player in school. But in Class X, I gave it up because everyone started saying that I was becoming dusky by staying out in the sun. I got worried ke phir boyfriend nahin milega. Toh humne basketball chhod di. Ab toh ghorey ke potty mein gir jaati hoon. And we are shooting in the sun all the time. Look at my complexion! (Grimaces as she spreads out her arms.)

How have you prepared?

We have been waiting and planning for this phase for a long time. I have learnt to do things I never thought I would have to do. I trained for hours to perfect my sword-wielding technique. I also had to learn horse-riding. A trainer taught me malkhamb, a form of ancient Indian acrobatics. They oil a 9-10ft pole, which one has to climb and do exercises on. In the couple of weeks I practised, I could only learn how to climb and stand on it. It takes years to learn it all. Those who are good can even lie horizontally on the pole, such is their balance.

How have you managed your horse? Any accidents?

Well, you never know the psyche of an animal. I share a fantastic rapport with my current horse. Nowadays, when I whistle she comes to me. I call her Laxmi… couldn’t think of any other name. (Laughs.) There have been a couple of accidents, but thankfully, no one was hurt. Bijli, my last horse, had fallen once, taking me down with her. That horse was changed then. Another time, the buggy the horse was drawing came apart. Sameer (Dharmadhikari, who plays the king of Jhansi) held me tight so that I didn’t get thrown off.

Have you been home since you started playing Laxmibai?

I am a Kanpur girl. I have been home only once since this serial happened. I was mobbed from all corners at the airport. People were shouting ‘Jhansi ki rani aa gayi’. We shoot in Karjat, which is quite far from Mumbai. So I am not used to this kind of attention. You wouldn’t believe this, but I was so shaken that I burst into tears.

Isn’t recognition from the masses the biggest high for an actor?

Not for me. I am proudest when my parents tell me that they are proud of me. I am a Rajput. Valour is in my blood. I am striving to show my parents that I am a thakur’s daughter.

With such a gruelling daily schedule in faraway Karjat, don’t you miss the social life of Mumbai?

I don’t believe in social life. My life in Karjat is heaven. I have a beautiful two-BHK cottage to myself, which is five minutes from the shooting spot. I like it so much there that I wouldn’t mind buying a plot of land after the shooting ends.

Taking over from Ulka Gupta, the girl who used to play the child Laxmibai, must have been a challenge.

Ulka is a marvellous actor. I met her at a party a while back. She did the role for more than 150 episodes. Of course it was a challenge. But I was signed for the role much before she was. So I was prepared to take over at some point.

Jhansi Ki Rani is nearing its end (it will end in May, according to channel sources). Have you thought of what you want to do next?

That’s on my mind. Many offers are coming. But I have started on such a high that doing anything run-of-the-mill — like a bahu in a saas-bahu soap — will be a fall. Perhaps I could do a comedy next. But first I want to rest for a month-and-a-half.