Adrija Roy, the talented actress currently captivating audiences as Raahi in Rajan Shahi's popular television show Anupamaa, has opened up about a profound personal transformation. She credits her acting career with significantly enhancing her emotional awareness and empathy, turning her into a better listener and a more understanding individual.
The Superpower of Listening and Emotional Awareness
Adrija Roy firmly believes that being a good listener is her core strength. She shared that this trait has always been instrumental in helping her connect with people on a deeper level. However, her journey as an actor has amplified this ability, merging it with a heightened sense of emotional perception.
"I am a good listener; I listen and then act," stated Adrija. She elaborated that portraying diverse characters on screen has been an education in human emotions. "As an actor I have become more aware of different emotions and different reactions, and I would say I have become more emotionally intelligent and aware. Listening has always been my superpower, but acting made me more empathetic," she explained.
Living the Emotions: A Lesson in Empathy
The actress described the unique process of an actor's work, where one doesn't just pretend to feel but genuinely experiences a spectrum of emotions for the camera. From joy and sorrow to jealousy and anxiety, an actor must convincingly live through these states to make the audience believe.
"On-screen you laugh, you cry, you feel jealous, you get anxiety, and you have various other emotions, and you need to nail it to convince the audience," Adrija said. "So when you portray those emotions on-screen, you understand them better because you are not only experiencing them but also living them." This immersive process, she notes, has been a masterclass in understanding the nuances of human feelings.
Confronting Feelings Head-On
Adrija Roy also highlighted a crucial life lesson she learned from her craft: the importance of dealing with emotions in the moment rather than postponing them. The demands of a shooting schedule often require an actor to access deep grief or intense joy on command and sustain it.
"When you have a scene where you need to grieve or cry, you have to do that, and you have to maintain that emotion till the scene lasts; that has made me more comfortable with my emotions," she revealed. While acknowledging that emotions can sometimes be overwhelming, she added, "now I understand them better." This practice has taught her to process feelings as they come, a skill that benefits her off-screen life as well.
Daily Interactions Shape a Broader Perspective
Beyond the script, Adrija finds immense learning in her daily interactions with co-actors and crew members on the set of Anupamaa. Observing how different people express and react to the same emotions has broadened her mind and reduced snap judgments.
"I have realized people's expressions and reactions vary for different emotions. Everyone has their own experience and perspective, and there isn't just one right way," she observed. These continuous exchanges have been pivotal in shaping her worldview, helping her embrace diverse viewpoints with an open heart.
Summing up her growth, Adrija Roy concluded, "I have become less judgemental. I don't jump to conclusions. Instead I analyze and then react." Her journey from being a good listener to becoming an emotionally intelligent and empathetic individual stands as a testament to the transformative power of the arts. As her character Raahi brings new twists to the storyline of Anupamaa, Adrija continues to evolve, both as an artist and a person.
