Actress Nausheen Ali Sardar, who became a household name with the TV show Kusum, has been a significant figure in Indian television for over two decades. Having seen the highs and lows of the industry, Nausheen now takes a more selective approach to her roles. She is all set to play a powerful character, Chandrika Singh Chauhan, in the upcoming TV show Vasudha. In a recent conversation, Nausheen opened up about her career, personal beliefs, and the importance of taking breaks.
“Playing Complex Roles Like Chandrika is a Challenge I’ve Wanted”
Nausheen’s excitement about her role in Vasudha was evident when she spoke about portraying Chandrika, a strong woman who has seen both struggles and successes. “It is very difficult to be strict in front of the audience and not look negative,” she explained. Nausheen emphasized that while the character may seem tough, it’s the experiences that have shaped her. “Chandrika’s journey has been from riding a scooter to flying in helicopters with her husband,” Nausheen said, adding that this evolution in her character’s life shows in her mannerisms, speech, and attitude.
Some may perceive Chandrika’s demeanor as arrogance, but Nausheen clarified, “It’s not arrogance; it’s the power she has earned.” The actress shared that she relates to about 70% of Chandrika’s personality, making it easier for her to portray the role. However, the other 30% is her fun-loving, carefree side that only her close friends get to see. “Only five or six friends know the playful and bubbly side of me,” she admitted.
“A Break is Necessary to Keep the Audience Interested”
Nausheen believes that an actor’s appeal is rooted in mystery. She said, “If you keep appearing on TV continuously, the audience will get bored of you.” Taking a break, she feels, is essential to maintain the audience’s interest. Nausheen follows this principle in her career, opting to take time off instead of constantly being in the spotlight.
She explained her old-school approach to fame and acting, where maintaining a sense of intrigue about one’s personal life is key to keeping the audience engaged. “If the world knows everything about you, you will become common,” she stated. Nausheen further pointed out that while many actors reveal a lot about themselves on reality shows, she prefers to remain mysterious. “I want people to always be curious about me,” she said.
“Balancing Work and Home is Crucial”
Nausheen’s views extend beyond acting to personal life and relationships. Despite her modern career, she believes in traditional values, particularly when it comes to marriage and family. “I believe marriage is an important part of life,” she said, expressing her disagreement with the idea of live-in relationships. For her, the key is to strike a balance between work and home life. “Just because you are a working woman doesn’t mean you should forget about your home,” she remarked.
While she supports the idea of a career, Nausheen feels that one’s personal values should never be compromised. She emphasized the importance of adapting to the changing times but staying true to one’s core beliefs.
“The Challenges of Playing a Tough Role Without Seeming Negative”
One of the toughest challenges Nausheen faced in her acting career came while portraying Chandrika in Vasudha. She spoke about how difficult it was to present her character’s strict and no-nonsense demeanor without making her seem negative. “Some will see her as arrogant, others as powerful,” she noted. But for Nausheen, it was essential to show that Chandrika’s actions were driven by the power she had earned through her struggles, not by arrogance.
Nausheen shared that the toughness of the character wasn’t difficult for her to adopt, as she naturally shares some similarities with Chandrika. However, she admitted that showing this side on camera was a new experience for her.
“Old-School Values with a Modern Twist”
Nausheen’s upbringing in a strict family influenced her values and mindset. She revealed that she was raised in a household where respect for elders was non-negotiable. “We weren’t even allowed to say ‘shut up’ at home,” she said. This upbringing has stayed with her throughout her life and career.
She recalled a moment during the shooting of Vasudha when she had to use abusive language for a scene. “I couldn’t say the word, and it took me 36 retakes to finally get it right,” she shared, laughing about the experience. It was a stark contrast to her childhood, where such language was forbidden, and her parents’ trust in her was sacred.
“The Covid Era Was the Worst Time of My Career”
Nausheen has seen many ups and downs in her two-decade-long career, but she admitted that the Covid-19 pandemic was the hardest period for her. “I’ve never seen such a difficult time in the industry,” she said, referring to the massive shutdown of shows and projects. Many actors, including herself, faced a dilemma of whether to continue working or risk their health by going to sets.
The pandemic also brought financial challenges, as budgets were slashed and actors received half their usual pay. “We are still compensating for the damage caused during Covid,” she remarked, adding that the industry has yet to fully recover from the losses suffered during the pandemic.
“Presenting a Progressive View of Society Through TV Shows”
Nausheen is excited about the message her upcoming show Vasudha will present to society. The show challenges traditional gender roles, where the wife is expected to manage the home while the husband works outside. “There’s nothing wrong if the husband takes care of the house and the wife goes to the office,” Nausheen said, explaining how Vasudha will offer a progressive perspective on modern relationships.
She highlighted a dialogue from the show that captures this sentiment: “A Rajput is not only someone who protects the women of the house but also gives them the courage to go out.” Nausheen believes that TV shows like Vasudha have the power to reshape societal views and empower women to pursue their careers while maintaining balance in their personal lives.
By embracing complex characters like Chandrika, Nausheen Ali Sardar continues to evolve as an actress while staying true to her values and beliefs.
