I feel like 'Amitabh Bachchan' of Bhopal: Eisha Singh

Young, beautiful and dynamic, Eisha Singh, the lead of Colors’ social drama Ishq Ka Rang Safed (FilmFarm) has made her own mark in the industry. Just a show old, this teenager is playing the role of a young widow, Dhaani in IKRS. Though we have spoken to her on various occasions, we had never till now discovered this side of the bubbly school going kid. While on one hand, we could sense that the innocence of a youth has not yet faded away in her, the lady sounded calm, composed and matured enough to answer our questions.

Eisha opened up about her childhood, journey, insecurities, relation with co-star Mishal Raheja, and here we present to our readers the excerpts from the interview.

Eisha, tell us something about your childhood and early days.

I hail from Bhopal, a town in Madhya Pradesh and am currently pursuing my higher secondary level studies. Having been blessed with working parents, I have been raised mostly by my grandparents. Though my Nana ji was very strict about raising children, he loved me the most and showered on me all his love and affection. I lost him at an early age and then on, my grand mom took up my responsibility. Unfortunately, I even lost her in 2013, but I am sure that she is blessing me even today.

How did you enter the world of glitz and glamour?

(With a pretty smile on her face) Like many, during my childhood I used to dream about becoming an actor when I grow up. Then my focus shifted from acting to medical profession to engineering and even to air hosting. Finally, as fate would have it I again came back to my dreams and concentrated on acting profession.

Has your family been supportive of your acting career?

My mom and dad have been exceptionally supportive of whatever I do. Without their encouragement I would have never been able to continue with my career today. And thankfully, not only my parents but also my friends and teachers have been sensitive enough.

How did you bag the lead role in Ishq Ka Rang Safed?

My uncle Manoj Joshi (Chidiya Ghar) is an actor and is in the industry for quite some time now. When he heard the news of FilmFarm coming up with a new show, he contacted us and asked me to come to Mumbai for auditions. Post my audition I got selected for the role. I am thankful that I didn’t have to struggle much and got a big platform in the beginning of my career.

What was your first reaction when you heard that Mishal Raheja will be cast opposite you?

Surprisingly, I have watched his previous show Laagi Tujhse Lagan, but was not aware about his real name. When I got to know that the makers have selected someone called Mishal Raheja opposite me, I googled about him. To my surprise it was Dutta Bhau of Laagi Tujhse Lagan. Definitely, I was excited to meet him and work with him.

Weren’t you nervous or scared to act with a talented actor like him?

Initially I was, but soon enough another thought flashed my mind. I thought even Mishal must have started from somewhere to reach this stardom and IKRS is my beginning; even I will reach that phase someday. And look at me now. I am getting blessed with the love and affection of audience, in the same way as Mishal. Everyone is appreciating my work. Obviously everyone gets scared in the beginning, but it is all about how you overcome that fear. And Mishal has played an important role in overcoming that fear, by being a very supportive co-star and friend. Whenever he senses that I am going through an emotional turmoil, he asks me to control and guide me like a friend. Now, we share such a great bond that I can even bitch about him on his face without any fear (bursts out into laughter).

At such a young age why did you opt to doing the role of a widow?

Well, this is a challenge for me. Dhaani’s character is completely a contrast to that of Eisha. I had to put my efforts to get into the skin of the character and that was a test for me to see whether I could achieve it or not. I am sure not many would prefer to do such an intense character at the beginning of their career. Having said that I would like to add that when I will sign for my next role, it will surely be very much different from Dhaani; something louder and colourful.

Has anything changed for you after Ishq Ka Rang Safed?

Of course it has. I can sense a drastic change in my life post IKRS. While on one hand, IKRS has made me confident and strong in many ways, shifting to Mumbai has had a different effect on me. Nowadays when I go back to Bhopal, people gather in front of my home to meet me, and they praise me for my work. People with whom we were not acquainted with, also come to greet me. I feel like Amitabh Bachchan of Bhopal now (laugh). But, that has not changed me, as I am still grounded. I am pretty confident that even when I will receive more fame and name, I will be able to keep myself down to earth.

You stated that shifting to Mumbai had some effects on you. What effects were you talking about?

Well, I have been brought up in a big family with lots of members around me. But in Mumbai, I lead a lonely life with my mom. I miss my father and little brother so much that I cannot even describe that in words. There are instances when I wake up at night crying and fearing that I will become all alone in the city, I have my own emotional outbursts. I have always been a pampered child, hence, during my initial, lonely days in the city, I used to be very depressed and insecure. I went into a depression and wanted to leave everything and run back home, to my own comfort zone. And during such moments, my family came to my rescue, with my father guiding me with words of wisdom to carry on.

What was the most emotional moment for you?

This might be surprising for many, but from the last seven years my grandmother used to watch only Colors’ channel. But unfortunately, when I bagged the role in a Colors’ show, she was not there with me. I wish she could have been here to see me on screen.

Who are your inspirations in the industry?

Two actresses whom I really look up to are Priyanka Chopra and Shweta Tiwari. They are such power packed performers that they can pull off any role with equal élan. And since Shewta is from the same industry, I really look forward to the day when I will work with her.

Finally, one heartthrob with whom you would like to work with?

(After some thought) Sushant Singh Rajput, anyday. Though he has now moved to films, I would not mind working with him on any medium (tongue out).

We wish the lady all the luck for her career and life.