Hina, who became a household name with the show, ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai‘, talks about how she evolved over the years, the time she left the show, risks that she has taken and what’s next for her.
‘This is just the beginning’
Hina shares that as an actor, she can never feel content, “but this is just the beginning. “I want to step into films and I did a couple of them and got quite a good response. The kind of work, the kind of projects I chose, I am quite happy with them. I am looking forward to doing a lot more in future,” says Hina.
She adds, “These 12 years have been very fruitful. I have received so much love, attention from my fans and well-wishers. These years have been a learning experience, whether it was about doing digital films, feature film, TV, launching shows, waking red carpets, walking international red carpets, winning awards and now an international recognition in an American film festival where I won the award for Best Actress. This journey has been amazing.”
‘Proud of playing Akshara‘
Hina started her journey with the show, ‘YRKKH’, and feels proud to be associated with a show that has been one of the longest running shows on TV. “When you take up a project, you never think about how it would turn out later. I know I started with Akshara (her character in the show), and she became larger than life and I am so proud of it. I did it for eight long years and considering how it works now, it is very difficult for actors to continue doing a show for such a long time,” says Hina. She adds, “But ‘Rishta’ is still doing great, it feels nice to know that it is doing so well whether I am a part of it or not.”
Hina shares that it was not easy to break away from her character’s image when she left the show. “I mean
woh kehte hai na ki dur se sab suhana lagta hai, but everyone has their fair share of struggles. Of course, I would not deny that I got a huge opportunity to work in a show where I played such an iconic character. But when I left TV, it was not an easy journey. It wasn’t easy to break through or break that image or stereotypes that came with it, you get typecast. The longer you do, the more typecast you get. And I had done it for the longest time, so it was very difficult to break that bahu image and come out as a fashionista,. But I didn’t give up, you just have to work here,” says Hina.
‘I have taken risks, given up on huge amounts of money and I am proud of it’
Talking about her international recognition and her work, Hina says, “I want to win every international award, get recognised everywhere for my hard work. I don’t think an actor would want anything else and I want to do good content. I am glad and I could do all of this because of the risks I have taken. I have been so lucky that I could prove myself right. God has been kind.”
Hina says taking risks is key. “Surviving in this industry is so important, I believe in taking baby steps and that’s what I am doing. I have taken risks, I have forgone huge amounts of money to be where I am today and I am so proud of it. It gives me a lot of confidence that in future if I want to do something, then I can take that risk but I have to be wise and understand if I need to take that risk. But I am glad with my experience and journey. I am looking forward to another 15 years now,” she points out.
‘TV actors are no longer treated like before’
Hina feels that the perception towards TV actors is definitely changing. “We are not treated the way we used to be. Eight years, I went to my sets, came back home and slept. I did not know about fashion trends, I did not know what was happening in the outside world. It was like I was born again when I left my show. I had to start again from the beginning – how I am supposed to look, what I am supposed to wear and say,” says Hina, adding, “But now things have changed, people’s perceptions have changed. Now I am given equal importance like other Bollywood celebs, whether it is about how I am dressed, my hairstyle or my vacations.”
‘I want to do amazing projects in 2021’
Hina shares that she is awaiting the release of her film, ‘Lines’, and then she has another short film lined up. “I have music videos, want to do big shows, and work with good directors. I am aiming for a huge project, I want to work with brilliant actors, so I wish and pray that I get amazing projects in 2021, that is my wish,” she says.
Source: TOI
