MUMBAI:  Sasural Simar Ka is iconic for its storyline and the memes that it inspires. The characters of Simar and Mataji, and now Badi Maa will go down in history as being strong matriarchs.

And this strong matriarch is played by renowned actor Jayati Bhatia. Bhatia is an Indian actress who works in theatre, film, and television. In the Colors TV series Sasural Simar Ka, she played the character Nirmala Bharadwai, for which she is most well-known. In addition to that, she has even contributed to well-known TV series including Sasural Genda Phool, Baat Hamari Pakki Hai, Jassi Jassi Koi Nahin, and Naamkarann.

She gained attention in 2000 for playing the lead character in the Balaji Telefilms serial Itihaas. Her other television series include Kutumb, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagi Kay, and Kanyadaan.

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She’s now seen in the role of Badi Ma on Sasural Simar Ka 2.

TellyChakkar got in touch with the actor to talk about her role, the show's reception, and more.

You have seen every iteration of Sasural Simar Ka, right from season one to the current version. How has this journey been for you?

I am extremely proud of Sasural Simar Ka, Season 1 and Season 2. Season 1 is like family; I still miss some of the scenes. But something suddenly comes back to me, and that sudden realisation about everything we had done, and that Sasural Simar Ka 2 is still cooking. It’s a work in progress, and we have gone back to the supernatural. In Season 1, we had taken that route after 3 years when we had confronted all the mortal evils, and negative energies, and because we are the devotees of Mata Raani, we were fighting those evils.

A similar thing is happening in Season 2; we are again devotees of Mata Raani, and Simar is a big devout. The only difference that I see between 1 and 2 is that in Season 1, all the forces that we were fighting against, we were doing that as a family. In Season 2, even though we were fighting as a family, this season is more of a Simar and Aarav show. It is a romantic show, but every character is pivotal. That is the beauty that I have seen, because in Season 1, we were such a big family, and sometimes some characters did fade away. But here, because the family is compact, every character is essential to the story and their actions affect the storyline as well.

But I am very close to the character of both Mataji and Badi Ma. Mata ji has become inherent with me; people still call me Mataji. They even call me Mataji in the studio where we shoot.

You have played this part since the first season, and even Badi Ma is a sort of reiteration of Mataji. What has been your biggest learning point while playing this role for so long?

I only see a small difference when people ask me to choose which character out of the two is closest to my heart, Badi Maa or Mataji. I feel like I am more like Badi Ma, in the sense that if you like me, then I like you, but if you don't, then you don’t exist for me. Whereas, Mataji had a lot of love for everyone, and I think that is one quality I would like to get from Mataji.

As the fans have been a big part of your journey, what would you like to say to them?

I always tell people to follow their heart, because the mind always says no. Thank you for your support, I am really grateful.

Jayati Bhatia is currently seen in Sasural Simar Ka 2 as Badi Ma.

Stay tuned to TellyChakkar for more updates!

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