“I loved the story and that’s why I immediately said a ‘Yes’ for Beintehaan”

Says Preetika Rao who is all set to make a Television debut with the show Beintehaan on Colors…

The pretty and talented actress, Preetika Rao who successfully made her debut in South movies is now all set to make a mark in television with her debut on Colors’ prime time much awaited show Beintehaan. We spoke to the actress, to know more about her character, her journey in the industry, difficulties faced during the shooting for the show and much more in conversation with us.

How did acting happen to you?
I always wanted to become a model and by the grace of God, it fulfilled and I got to do so many ads. I even got to do an ad with Amitabhji (Amitabh Bachchan). I never thought to become an actor but I think destiny had its own plans to make me an actor but Amrita Rao was passionate about acting.

Did your sister Amrita Rao inspire you?
I have grown up watching her career. She has inspired me but she is a much better actor and her passion for cinema is far better than me. I have been deviating myself towards a lot of other things like modeling, journalism, movies but she has always been focused. She is not very familiar with the television industry although she has been on television as a judge. Just from her career, I have learned a lot about this industry which is similar. Television is tougher. We have to work here for hours getting deprived from sleep because the telecast is just a week away. Amrita has always been creative since her childhood. When she became an actress, she hardly used to be at home and I used to wait for her to come back home so that I could spend some time with her.

How did Beintehaan happen to you?
I had taken a break from South movies and gone to US. When I came back, there was an influx of television in my way so I thought why not! Television industry has become very glamorous and every Bollywood actor wants to come on television to do something. I auditioned when I was getting the offers and I was selected for four shows. Beintehaan happened at a time when everything was set up perfectly. It is a prime time show for Colors and I loved the story and that’s why I immediately said a yes’ for it.

Tell us something about your character?
I am playing Alia who hails from Bhopal. She is today’s Muslim girl. She is a bit tomboyish. Alia and Zain are cousins and they don’t get along since childhood but situations happen such that she ends up marrying him. The drama unfolds then and that’s the story of Beintehaan.

What kind of preparations you have done to get yourself involved into the character of Alia?
I didn’t do any preparations as such but co-incidentally, I used to follow Pakistani shows a lot on YouTube and I love them because some of them are really very interesting to watch and their Urdu is much better. When I was offered Beintehaan I was very happy because Indian television is quite apprehensive of the Muslim shows; it’s ruled by Gujarati and Rajasthani soaps. When I first heard the story of Beintehaan, the first thing which I told Farhaan was that the best part of the show is that it has a Muslim background.

Any difficulties or challenges you have faced?
On the first day of my shoot, I had to ride a bi-cycle in traffic. I had to shoot the scene in the broad day light. I had to do many rounds with it and I even fell off from it. Timings are really tough to manage. In Bhopal, we have worked for 24 hours and I have hardly got time to sleep.

How was your life as a journalist?
I used to write gossips while I was working as a journalist for Bangalore Mirror. I really enjoyed my life as a journalist because I used to meet so many people and interview them. It was a tough job because writing an article is an art which can’t be written suddenly.

How is it working with Harshad?
Initially, Harshad and I were chosen for another show and I had already auditioned with him so when I signed Beintehaan, and I got to know that Harshad is being paired opposite me at that time I was stunned to know about the same. Probably we were destined to be paired together. We have a good working rapport together.

How is the reaction of your family?
They simply love the promos of the show and are very excited to see the hoardings outside. They are eagerly waiting for the show to begin. Daily soaps are something which everyone is glued to. My Mom is also addicted to some of the TV shows. So, she is very happy to see me debuting in Colors.

Any plans to get into Bollywood?
I could have gone into Bollywood but in an interview, I have told one journalist that it wasn’t that I was chosen to debut in South movies; South chose me. The same has happened here I was chosen by television which is a call of destiny. There are some decisions in life which couldn’t really be planned by you, it all just happens.

We wish Preetika all the very best for her debut show Beintehaan!