‘Learn to be patient’

Manpriya Singh 

It is after one year that actress Mansi Srivastava has been able to plan a trip back home to Chandigarh. In Mumbai, “I just wake up and don’t come to know how and when the day ends,” she talks about the fast-paced life of the city and how 12-hour-long shoots don’t leave time for anything. “Sometimes it’s more than 12 hours, if there’s an additional scene or a telecast issue.” 

That’s just one of the pressures of doing a daily soap, which, in her case, currently happens to be Star Plus’ Ishqbaaaz. It is the story of three Oberoi brothers, wherein she plays the love interest of one of them. “I play ACP Bhavya, a very independent girl.” In city to talk about the developments in the show, she plays a true ambassador. “If you are not watching the show, you are seriously missing out on something good.” 

Good old days

Having spent her childhood in the city, she was understandably happy to be back. “I studied in Manav Mangal School and later went to 16-Model.”A keen interest in theatre coupled with higher studies took her to Delhi. “But the shift to Mumbai happened after a while because I knew that would be a lot of struggle.” 

A struggler’s diary 

Struggle it was, but not anymore than expected. “As soon as I started giving auditions, within six months I bagged the serial Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se on Zee TV, followed by Sasural Simar Ka.” She adds, “But it was tough. For any newcomer, 90 per cent of the time you’ll face rejection initially. Almost 70 to 80 per cent of the people go back. However, one must learn to be patient.” 

I miss you city 

Despite being an outsider, she’s comfortably placed in the Indian television industry. “Sucheta Khanna is my best friend. Apart from that, the entire cast of Ishaqzaaade is very friendly. We all eat together and are like a family.” But there’s no missing home and parents, who also happened to be there at the press conference. “I miss the simplicity of Chandigarh. In Mumbai, on any given street there are so many people. It’s so fast-paced. Whereas there is something so peaceful in the air of Chandigarh; you can feel the time pass by.” 

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