I’m not Anika: Anushka

Anushka Merchande, who portrays the complex character of Anika in Zee TV’s drama Saru, has responded to online backlash over her on-screen persona. While her performance has garnered praise for its depth and intensity, it has also attracted criticism from viewers who dislike the character’s negative traits — some of which has spilled over into personal attacks on social media.

Netizens have been vocal in expressing their disapproval, and in some cases, the actor has faced harsh and unwarranted comments on her personal posts. In response, Anushka has issued a heartfelt statement urging audiences to distinguish between the actor and the role she plays.

“I truly believe audiences should never merge an actor’s real life with the on-screen character they play. Anika in Saru is a role I portray, not who I am. No show can move forward without a negative character; it’s what creates drama, depth, and balance. People may hate Anika, but that only means I’m doing justice to the part. Off-screen, I’m nothing like her, and I’d love for people to appreciate the craft instead of confusing it with reality,” she said.The actor went on to highlight the artistic merit of portraying antagonistic roles. “Playing a negative role is an opportunity to explore challenging emotions and bring authenticity to the story. As performers, our goal is to make the audience feel something — love, anger, empathy. If they’re reacting strongly, it means the story is working.”

As Saru continues to unfold on screen, Anushka’s message serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the line between character and creator.