Though the intermittent shooting provided emotional vent, Mai actor Sakshi Tanwar on the toll of playing a mother avenging daughter’s death
A still from Mai
In the bleak world of Mai that is riddled with deceit, scams and grief, it is Sakshi Tanwar’s Sheel who stands tall. The actor delivered a commendable performance as the shocked mother who sets out to find the truth when her daughter is killed in a hit-and-run accident. “This was a difficult subject because it’s about a mother who is avenging her daughter’s death. I completely went by the script and my directors’ [Anshai Lal and Atul Mongia] vision. We did some workshops, and worked on the back-story of the characters,” she says.
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The Netflix series is as much about a woman coming to terms with her loss as it is about the murky world of crime. The actor admits it was emotionally draining to play a grieving mother who won’t give up her pursuit of truth. “The shoot was scattered. Due to the pandemic, we had breaks in between, sometimes as long as four to six months. So, I didn’t feel the emotional pressure. But some scenes were demanding and drained me.”
For years, Tanwar was the television world’s darling, fronting Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, one of the most popular daily soaps. She believes the OTT boom has put the emphasis back on powerful acting, making it a fruitful time for artistes. “I have been fortunate to play the protagonist in all my shows. Now, it doesn’t matter whether you are a big star or a newcomer; if you fit the role, you land it. All characters have their back-story, regardless of whether they are the lead or supporting part. I will be happy to do a supporting role, if it’s challenging. These days, supporting roles are more challenging.”