Anchal Singh, of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein fame, says she fails to understand concepts like situationship
More than a decade ago when this lovely Punjaban, Anchal Singh, decided to try her luck in the world of arclights, she had a vision, a dream and a promise to herself. Today as she is enjoying her moment in the acclaimed Netflix show Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2, Purva is one character she will forever be grateful for. Whether it has launched more shows for her, she is not at the liberty to disclose but it has made many bigwigs notice her. And the compliments coming her way after the Season 2 streamed on November 22 this year have been a steady flow. The one she truly loved is, ‘Purva is a red rose with hidden thorns.’ Then there are many who feel so strongly for her ‘not so white’ character. Fans are even advising what Purva should or should not do, even which man she should go for in the series since Vikrant, played by Tahir Raj Bhasin, is not reciprocating her love.
On screen, she plays a woman obsessed who would go to any length to attain her love. In real life, she offers sagacious advice to the gen next. Love for her, like Purva, is forever. However, before you jump in and out of relationships, she says, “Take your time to ascertain your feelings. And once you are committed, stay that way.” Old school, in deed and thought, she fails to understand terms like ‘situationship’ and observes, “Fractured relationships are truly scarring the young both emotionally and mentally.”
Part of the industry where you truly need to be a fighter, she admits “It’s not easy for anybody. I would not like to glorify my struggles. But when you realise very little is being offered, the dilemma is; how do you choose the right project?”
Several television ads, ‘where product is the hero and the focus is on the face’ taught her how not to be self-conscious while facing the camera up close. The rudiments of acting came with a Sri Lankan film Sri Siddhartha Gautama, a Tamil one and a Punjabi Zakhmi too. Her first big break in Hindi came with Undekhi. Interestingly, she can relate more with Tejee of Undekhi than Purva’s unapologetic ways. “For Tejee, how to achieve her goal matters as much,” she adds.
Working with Sidharth Sengupta, director and creator of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankehin, also the creator of her first web show Undekhi, translated into an easy comfort level. Today she calls Sengupta her mentor, who has not only given her meaty Purva but also an assurance, ‘Don’t fear hard work or rejections. Good work can take time.’ Even otherwise her motto always has been in alignment with the karma doctrine and leaving the rest to God. She says, “With hard work and persistence one can make it.” Imagine she enrolled for classes in Tamil after the release of her Tamil film Dhilluku Dhuddu, “so that I am better prepared in case another offer from the Tamil film industry knocks at my doors.”
Ironically, the question ‘what next’ has often led her into deep thought and contemplation. When her Instagram followers deluged her with queries about her future projects, she came up with a heartfelt honest post. In fact, the reason she has become visible and active on social media is, “I want people to know me for what I really am and not the manufactured persona.”
Unfiltered Anchal has no qualms in confessing that thrillers, the genre of her two hugely popular series, is personally not her favourite. Sight of blood makes her queasy. In the series, she kills without flinching, yet on the sets she was petrified of wielding even the proxy gun. Though to prepare for her character she did watch Scarface and other content, romcoms and comedy figure high on her viewing list. But that does not mean, you should not catch up with Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein… for both its seasons are trending right at the top in more than one country. Her Purva and her invincible spirit anyway give you ample reasons to root for both her character and the actor.
