Living Many Lives in One: Ssujata Mehta on Keeping Her Performances Fresh

MUMBAI: Ssujata Mehta, who has been part of TV shows such as Shrikant, Khandaan, Ye Meri Life Hai, Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa, and Saraswatichandra, to name a few, and movies like Pratighaat, Yateem, Pratigyabadh, Gunahon Ka Devta, Hum Sab Chor Hain, 3 Deewarein, and Chitkar (Gujarati), among others, says for her it’s not very difficult to move on from one character to another. She shared that her time doing theatre made her aware of these things, and it became easy for her since.
 
“I was trained on stage to understand that whatever character you play is a make-believe world for a few hours. Once it's over, you switch off. Early on, I struggled with this, especially during the play Chitkaar, where I played a character with schizophrenia. It was physically and emotionally draining, and the plays lasted over three hours. Those experiences taught me to train my mind to let go of a character after a performance. It comes with experience,” she said.
 
“Some people grasp it quickly, while others take time. Actors abroad often study a role for a year, but we didn’t have that luxury earlier. I wish I had practiced yoga back then; it would’ve made things easier for me. Back then, I relied on spiritual healing and family support to recover after demanding shows,” she added.
 
She takes every new project as her first one and starts fresh, and that’s how she is able to maintain the freshness in her performances.
 
“I approach it with enthusiasm, passion, and curiosity. It feels like living many lives in one. Before taking on a role, I ensure it interests me at least 50%. If it does, I know I can put in the work to make it 100%. That excitement is what keeps my performance fresh and engaging,” Ssujata ended.