Anagha Thakur: Today's woman carries the whole family forward along with herself

Actor Anagha Thakur, who came before audiences through the Colors Marathi serial 'Mohini', has become a viewer favourite in a short time. Her dimples and endearing acting have made her a talking point everywhere these days. On the occasion of Navratri, she spoke candidly about what the strength of Durga really means to her.

Anagha began her career as a financial analyst and later moved into a field that offers no guarantees. Speaking about the journey with a laugh, she said she did not have FOMO during her days in a job. She did theatre and dance while studying at Ruparel College, so she wanted to do something in this field. Then Covid came and everything suddenly came to a halt. Social media was buzzing at the time, but she felt she was doing nothing. She was pursuing her post-graduation and thoughts of how to give auditions kept circling in her mind. She worked for five years, but the pain of not being able to do anything in the field of art persisted.

According to Anagha, she is very optimistic. Even while working, she kept looking for contacts, gathering information about auditions and profiles, and tried hard by messaging production houses on social media. After two to three years of effort she gave auditions, then got the role of Mohini, and her hard work paid off.

On the turning point, she said the Shravan Queen competition was the turning point of her life. It needed 15 to 20 days, but it was not possible to go and stay at the venue while holding a job. At the age of 25 she decided that come what may, she would take part, and went off after applying for sick leave at the office. Of 400 girls who auditioned, 16 were selected, and she was one of them. After that, the ramp walk and walking in 4-inch heels were all new. All the girls were talented and there was insecurity too, which she does not deny. Walking in 5 to 6 pairs of heels during the competition was physically exhausting, but there was energy and a determination to win, and she gave 100 per cent. The last question was what the modern woman of today is like, in her own words. She answered by relating it to herself, the judges liked it and she became the winner.

In 'Mohini', Anagha is these days performing thrilling scenes such as swordsmanship and dandpatta. She says fight sequences, swordplay, dandpatta and shields are an entirely different experience, and she had to prepare for it starting from the basics. The October heat was also a trouble and she suffered many injuries to her hands during practice. She was not used to such exertion, but she enjoyed it a great deal and worked very hard. It would start at 9.30 am and go on until 3 or 4 pm. She felt immense pride and got goosebumps. Jijau, Tararani and the Rani of Jhansi came before her eyes. She very much wishes to get such a role in real life and a chance to play a historical woman character.

Asked, as a Gen Z person, for her views on today's Durga, she said without pausing that today's girl certainly guards her self-respect and values fulfilling her dreams. According to her, women earlier would put themselves behind and say that the husband and son should move ahead. But today's woman looks after the family along with herself, and there is nothing wrong in that. Every girl must get the chance to move ahead and prove herself.

On the question of balance, Anagha said that in the beginning she was extremely tired, physically and mentally, as she was not used to it. For the past 8 to 9 months she has been doing 12-hour shifts. For one to two weeks she got blisters on her feet from standing, but now she has got used to it both physically and mentally. She learnt from work itself how to look after herself and how to keep balance. At first she did not get time to take care of herself and took no leave for six months. Now everything feels easy. She has understood what Mohini is like, so she now also looks after the Anagha within her and is able to give time to her parents as well.

She also said she does all the planning and that everyone should have a health check-up once a year. Planning and management are necessary. 'Mohini' also conveys that we are the ones going around carrying the burden of the whole world, so everyone should come together and work, and she is learning this from the character of Mohini itself.

Asked what should change in the industry for a woman and as Durga, she said simply that she is absolutely new. There is nothing like PF or mediclaim in this field. If one is doing a serial every day, then it is in a way a job. An office has security, but nothing of that kind exists in the industry. Everything else one has to think about oneself. This is the difference between the corporate world and the industry, and she feels from the heart that it should change.

Not tolerating injustice is the Shakti form of Durga. Narrating such an experience from her own life, Anagha said she has been living alone in Mumbai since the age of 15. Once she had come to stay in Matunga, in a building next to Yashwant Natya Mandir. Wearing a T-shirt and track pants, she went downstairs to buy biscuits. A man was watching her, and she did not pay attention then. But suddenly he came following her and she got scared. She shoved the man hard, as he was drunk, and screamed. She could have caught and beaten him on the spot, but it did not occur to her then. That is why every girl should be extremely strong, physically and mentally. One may have to take the form of Durga at any moment.

Asked who the Durga in her life is, she answered quickly that there are many Durgas, but she would name her mother, because her mother is very optimistic and positive and that has come into her too. One must not be careless in work. Seeing her mother's love for work, she too wants to work in the same way. For her, her mother is Durga. There is no need to do anything different to become Durga, be cheerful and always stay strong, was the message Anagha gave to fans as she ended the conversation.