Ekta Tiwari on being part of Gudiya Rani: The love and support has been overwhelming

MUMBAI: Actress Ekta Tiwari, who plays the role of Flower in Gudiya Rani, says that she has been receiving such great feedback from her fans, even though they are yet to see her entry on the show. She says that even her team has been praising her work, which is so encouraging for her. “Flower's entry is yet to be shown means the audience is still in for a surprise. However, the love and support I’ve been receiving through promotions and media coverage have been overwhelming. I want to give a special mention to my friend and casting director Ashutosh Rai and writer Bhavna Vyas for their beautiful writing and vision for Flower. The channel and production team have given high praise to Flower’s character even before her entry, which means as the colourful antagonist, Flower has already booked a special place in the hearts of the audience and the makers on Dangal TV’s newly launched show Gudiya Rani. There’s so much more to deliver soon—just wait a little longer and keep showering your love and blessings,” she says. Ask her what is the most challenging for her, and she says, “Every new character and project is a fresh challenge, and I love challenges. When it comes to Flower, the challenge lies in her showy appearance, heavy attire, intricate hairdo (which can give me a headache after a while), and her loud, dramatic behaviour paired with a mix of Hindi and English. It’s just the beginning—let’s see what other interesting challenges Bhavna has in store for Flower,” she says.

Ask her how she prepares mentally and emotionally for the intensity that comes with playing an antagonist, and she says, “Whether it’s playing an antagonist or a protagonist, the intensity of a character cannot be measured. It depends entirely on the character’s arc and the various situations they face in the scenes. When the traits of a character are discussed in depth with the writer, creatives, and director, it makes things easier. As an artist, I become mentally and emotionally engrossed through different techniques. Being a director’s actor, I deliver the required emotional and mental intensity, a skill I honed during my dramatic education.” She says that she is totally opposite to how Flower is and that is what makes this portrayal unique. “Opposites attract, right? This doesn’t only apply to real-life relationships but also to reel-life characters. In real life, I am a person of high thinking and simple living, while Flower is full of flamboyance without worrying too much. So, my attraction to playing Flower was pretty obvious.” She adds, “As I always say, learning is a never-ending process, whether it’s in real life or reel life. I’ve always played the protagonist in various projects and platforms, and I’ve learned a lot from that experience. Now, for the first time, I’m playing an antagonist, and I don’t want to pick up any traits from this character. So far, it’s been fun, and there’s a happy family vibe on the set. Although we didn’t know each other personally at the beginning, it certainly doesn’t feel that way now. This experience is more than enough at this stage.”