It's bye bye Tere Liye; oh that sinking feeling

A page from the personal diary of Shakti Arora Today is the last day of shoot of Tere Liye and I am sitting in my dressing room remembering the time I have spent on the set. It is making me extremely emotional. I won’t be working here anymore. I don’t even know if this set will be there or not. Tere Liye has given me a lot. It is the first time I have spent so much time on screen. Not just professionally, but personally too, unlike other units, this one has been different. I have made some very good friends here especially after the leap, I have come closer to a lot of people. I am close to Laboni Ma, Mauli, Ruchi who played the first Jonaki. We hang out together and do a lot of masti. I am even close to Rajat (Tokas), Harshad (Chopda) and Anupriya (Kapoor). We are a gang and have a blast when we are together, even the director. I am close to everyone on the set. I am feeling bad the show is ending and I know I will get a new show but it won’t be the same anymore. I won’t be working with the same cast and my heart feels hollow. When I think about all the times I have spent here, the meals shared with the cast and how all of us have become one family, it upsets me. Though I am going to be in touch with all of them, we won’t be sharing this set anymore. The past two three days have been really weird. Everyone is getting emotional on the sets. It is like a reality check now that the show has come to an end. These days no one needs glycerin to shoot emotional crying sequences. I think my bonding with the audiences and fans has also grown during the show. I get cards and letters from Kolkata from social workers who tell me they identify with my character. They have sent me books and tell me how there are people like Taposh. All age groups seem to have loved Taposh and I have got a lot of appreciation. Initially, I could never identify with Taposh but once the character underwent a change post leap, I have become a lot like him. I have imbibed his goodness and generosity. So now I don’t shy away from helping someone just like the way Taposh does. I have taken away some of his traits, his way of talking and his nature. Lastly, I want to tell my fans to pray for me that I get a good role soon and I am back on screen. I will put in all the hard work and effort required to make you all happy.