23 February,2021 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam Abraham
Neha Marda
Admitting that television stereotypes actors, Neha Marda, who is back on screen with another family drama Kyun Rishton Mein Katti Batti, seems to have found a solution to shed the bahu image. "Since I never had my social media game on before, I decided to change my persona online so that people could see my potential [to do varied characters] and offer me interesting roles. It's a slow process," says the Balika Vadhu actor, who has been active on Instagram and Facebook over the past three months.
Her latest offering revolves around a married couple with children, who have lost their love along the way. Ask her if the show will be along the lines of The Parent Trap (1998), and she says, "Not exactly, but I believe the DNA of the show reflects parenting. The show covers much more than the children trying to get their parents reunited." She adds that instead of resorting to over-the-top theatrics associated with television, the makers have tried to keep the narrative relatable. "It is one of the best writings we've had so far. We've kept it real by shooting in a residential building [instead of a set]. There is no heavy-duty drama. My character Shubhra too is not Miss Goody-two-shoes. The character isn't written in broad strokes; she has shades of both good and bad." According to Marda, the daily soap's nuanced writing is a sign that television is evolving. "Actors have become more grounded, content creators have become diverse, on-screen couples are no longer showcased as this âperfect' pair, and female leads now can be of any shape and size. There is a gradual shift," she concludes.
