Anurima Chakraborty's Full-Circle Moment in Lucknow
Returning to Lucknow after an extended shooting schedule has been a profound full-circle moment for actress Anurima Chakraborty. Her first television show, Tod Kar Dil Mera, was filmed in this historic city, transforming it from a mere shooting location into a space that significantly shaped her journey as an actor. In an exclusive conversation, she opened up about her time living in Lucknow, adapting to the rigorous demands of television work, and the early challenges of auditions and rejections that marked her career.
Embracing Lucknow's Culture and Milestones
Shooting in Lucknow provided Anurima with a very pleasant and enriching experience. Among the many aspects that left a lasting impression, the city's language and culture stood out prominently. "I would say the way people speak really stood out to me because Lucknow is known for that," she shared. "That grace, that sense of nazakat in the way people speak, it sounds very beautiful when you hear it. I really enjoy listening to it." During her stay, she also achieved a memorable professional milestone by walking the ramp as a showstopper at the Lucknow Times Fashion Week. "It was amazing. I had never expected that at such an early stage in my life I would get to walk the ramp like Lucknow Times Fashion Week. It was a surreal moment for me," Anurima recounted.
Navigating Early Career Struggles and Family Dynamics
Before reaching this point, Anurima's path was fraught with uncertainty. Moving to Mumbai with dreams of acting meant facing endless auditions and rejections. "My dream was always to act, but Mumbai meant endless auditions and rejections. Series and films were tough," she explained. She began her journey in entertainment by creating reels on social media, inspired by content creators who were gaining opportunities. "I started seeing how content creators were getting a lot of opportunities and how strong their presence was becoming. I took inspiration from that and thought if they are getting so many chances, why not start something of my own. So I began creating content. Once I started that journey, I actually began enjoying it," she added. Additionally, her parents initially wanted her to pursue a career in the judiciary, leading to arguments and disagreements. "My parents wanted me to pursue the judiciary. I had to fight quite a lot about it because I was very clear that I wanted to act. There were arguments and disagreements, but I stood my ground. And now that this show has happened, they are happy about it," Anurima said.
Views on Television Industry Demands and Storytelling
Anurima speaks openly about the demanding schedules that television actors often endure. "The work hours in the TV industry could change a little. Whenever I talk about this with people on set, they immediately start giving examples from the past, how earlier actors did not even have vanity vans and had to change behind trees, or how they used to shoot for three different shows in one day. After hearing all that I sometimes feel like I should just stay quiet. But still, being a Gen Z, I feel actors also have the right to a personal life," she emphasized. She also shares strong opinions on storytelling preferences, noting her enjoyment of thriller and mystery shows. "I enjoy thriller and mystery shows much more. At the same time, TV still caters to audiences who enjoy family dramas. Our show is more about romance. Interestingly, I feel that Gen Z audiences today are craving that old-school feeling because modern dating apps and social media have made relationships very fast and accessible," Anurima observed.
Abhijit Sarkar's Role and Lucknow as a Shooting Hub
City-based professional Abhijit Sarkar, known for his work in communication, media, and sports, plays a key role in Tod Kar Dil Mera as a senior lawyer. With appearances in shows like Savdhaan India, Crime Patrol, Bhaukaal, and Undekhi, he steps into this long-running drama. "My character is a senior lawyer and a mentor to the main lead which is played by Anurima Chakraborty. As her life goes through different phases, my character also changes. So I am guiding her, supporting her, even shaping her journey towards becoming a judge," he explained. Sarkar received high praise for his convincing portrayal, with co-actors questioning if he was a real lawyer. "The biggest compliment I got was when my co-actors kept asking if I was a real lawyer. They simply refused to believe that I’m not," he recalled. On Lucknow emerging as a shooting destination, Sarkar noted, "This is a big achievement that a full TV show has been shot outside Bombay. I am honoured to be a part of it as this has never happened before. This shows the support, the locations, and the ease that Lucknow offers."
