Shrenu Parikh: TV should embrace the realism of web shows

Shrenu Parikh

She stole hearts as the goody-two-shoes bahu in daily soaps. But it's time for Shrenu Parikh to shed that image and embrace realistic characters. After her first Gujarati digital outing Kshadyantra won her praise, the actor will be seen playing a gritty crime journalist in Hungama Play's third season of Damaged. Over to Parikh as she talks about being drawn to the script at the first reading, seeking realistic roles and why she will never quit television.

You have worked across different languages. Does the work ethos differ a lot from that in Hindi television?
I love Marathi cinema and plays, and would love to do something in Marathi soon. The Gujarati OTT industry is blooming. I feel fortunate that my show Kshadyantra was well-received. Every industry and language has different flavours, which I wish to explore.

What convinced you to come on board the third season of Damaged?
The story of the series and my character of Shanaya [were the reasons I took on the project]. When it was narrated to me, I found the character challenging. It didn't take much to convince me.

Did you study crime journalists before playing one in the series?
I have noticed journalists and reporters over a period of time. I have friends in the media, and since I have always been good at observing people, it came easy to me. I have realised that it is not an easy profession. The kind of pressure one has to face - meeting deadlines, shining among so many people - can be difficult. There are many instances where a journalist risks his/her life to cover the truth, which is an inspiration.

You sport a new look in this show.
I needed to shed my Indian avatar for this role, and dress closer to how I do in real life. It was a refreshing change to be styled in regular clothes.

Do you dress differently when you go for auditions for web shows vis-a-vis TV?
For television auditions, I can get dressed with my eyes closed. When I auditioned for this role, I didn't have a clue what this character would look like. During the look test, I didn't have a wig and my hair was flying. They [stylists on the show] chopped off my hair to get the desired look for my character.

According to you, what qualities should television imbibe from OTT and vice versa?
TV should embrace the realism that is portrayed on web shows. [Television shows] sometimes lack that. [OTT platforms can aspire to have] the resilience that TV, as a medium, has. As telly actors, we are seen every day, but still, we have the power to pull audiences at the same time [the next] day.

Don't you get bored playing the quintessential bahu on TV?
Honestly, I do, but everyone does it. It is my home ground and I would never think of quitting television. Like writers, actors also experience creative blocks. But that is what television teaches you - to wake up the next morning and do the same thing but in a different way. You just have to get over it.