Exclusive: ‘The first day of shoot was like first day of school,’ Rakshanda Khan about Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na

Rakshanda Khan/PR image

Rakshanda Khan is back on the small screen as Jayalaxmi in Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na on Zee TV. The actress speaks to midday.com about her royal look on the show, being back to the sets after the pandemic, changes on set and more.

Your character Jayalaxmi in Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na has a royal avatar…
The makers didn't want it to be anything like I had done on television before. We decided to go with georgettes, pastels, no bright colours. It's lovely and understated, flowy fabrics. The character has a royal demeanour, therefore the outfits had to reflect that as well. In terms of jewelry, there are lots of pearl necklaces and no OTT earrings. The statement piece is either the necklace or ring. The last three characters I have done have been fairly jewelry oriented. Be it Mohini in Brahmarakshas who was decked up in gold jewelry, there was Naagin that comes with its only look, then there was Damini from Durga-Mata Ki Chhaya who was such a gold digger that if she didn't look like a jewelry ki dukan it wouldn't justify the character. So Jayalaxmi is a contrast because nothing about her is in your face, neither her attitude, nor her clothes and jewellery, but she still grabs attention.

After so many years in the industry, has the way you pick your roles changed?
From day one I was clear that I wanted to do characters that took the narrative forward, not to say I only want to play the main lead. Other than the boy and girl, there have to be other characters that will propel the story forward. Even at the start of my career, I didn't play the hero's love interest. I was happy to play strong characters. My brief to production houses has never changed - call me only if you feel the character propels the story forward.

Tell us about your rapport with your co-actors?
I've taken up a show where I don't know a single person! I met all of them for the first time. Someone like me, who has such an outgoing personality, has a flaw that I'm scared of meeting new people. The first day of shoot was like first day of school, I was petrified. Luckily I was working with a director I've worked with before though we reconnected after 17 years. So I was holding on to him through the shoot and asking if the other people are nice and fun to be with. Everyone was so nice I didn't have anything to fear. Luckily we all clicked off-screen.

How does it feel being back on the sets post the pandemic?
I shot a show during the pandemic, Durga-Mata Ki Chhaya but that was just five months. Things are more normal now but I was still scared if it's okay to shoot. Just when Durga…wrapped up, the second wave hit and all shoots were taken out of Mumbai. I'm glad I didn't have to do that because my child is still young, not even seven.

Any changes you notice on set?
We have to still be careful during group shots. Earlier everyone would hang out in everyone else's rooms and dabbas were shared, all that is not happening yet. We used to order food in between shoot, all that has still not gone back to normal. It will take a while before it goes back.

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