Being a Gen Z, I feel actors also have the right to a personal life: Anurima Chakraborty
Returning to Lucknow after an extended shooting schedule has been a full-circle moment for actress Anurima Chakraborty, whose first television show Tod Kar Dil Mera was shot in the city. Having spent nearly six months here for the project, the experience turned Lucknow from a shooting location into a space that shaped an important phase of her journey as an actor. In an exclusive conversation, she spoke about living in the city, adapting to the demands of television, navigating auditions and rejections earlier in her career, and the unexpected recognition that has started coming her way after the show.
Shooting in Lucknow was a very pleasant experience for Arunima. Among the many things that struck her during her stay, was the language that left the deepest impression on Arunima. “I would say the way people speak really stood out to me because Lucknow is known for that. That grace, that sense of nazakat in the way people speak, it sounds very beautiful when you hear it. I really enjoy listening to it.”
During this period in the city, she also experienced a memorable professional milestone when she walked the ramp at Lucknow Times Fashion Week as a showstopper. “It was amazing. I had never expected that at such an early stage in my life I would get to walk the ramp like Lucknow Times Fashion Week. It was a surreal moment for me.”
Before arriving at that point, however, the journey for Arunima had been anything but smooth. Moving to Mumbai with the dream of becoming an actor meant facing a long stretch of uncertainty. She added, “My dream was always to act, but Mumbai meant endless auditions and rejections. Ads helped, but series and films were tough,” says Arunima who stared her journey in entertainment with creating reels on social media. “I started seeing how content creators were getting a lot of opportunities and how strong their presence was becoming. I took inspiration from that and thought if they are getting so many chances, why not start something of my own. So I began creating content. Once I started that journey, I actually began enjoying it.”
Her parents too not being very enthusiastic about her foray into acting was another stress point for the young actress. “My parents wanted me to pursue the judiciary. I had to fight quite a lot about it because I was very clear that I wanted to act. There were arguments and disagreements, but I stood my ground. And now that this show has happened, they are happy about it,” says Arunima.
Work hours could change... Gen Z actors deserve personal life
Arunima speaks openly about the demanding schedule that television actors often face. “The work hours in the TV industry could change a little. Whenever I talk about this with people on set, they immediately start giving examples from the past, how earlier actors did not even have vanity vans and had to change behind trees, or how they used to shoot for three different shows in one day. After hearing all that I sometimes feel like I should just stay quiet. But still, being a Gen Z, I feel actors also have the right to a personal life.”
She also has strong views about storytelling and the kind of narratives she personally enjoys. “I enjoy thriller and mystery shows much more. At the same time, TV still caters to audiences who enjoy family dramas. Our show is more about romance. Interestingly, I feel that Gen Z audiences today are craving that old-school feeling because modern dating apps and social media have made relationships very fast and accessible.”
The actors kept asking if I was a real lawyer: Abhijit Sarkar
City-based professional Abhijit Sarkar, known for his work across communication, media and sports, is now being seen in a key role in the series Tod Kar Dil Mera. Having appeared in shows like Savdhaan India, Crime Patrol, Bhaukaal and Undekhi, he steps into the role of a senior lawyer in this long-running drama. Speaking about his character’s journey in the show, he explains how it evolves with the protagonist, “My character is a senior lawyer and a mentor to the main lead which is played by Anurima Chakraborty. As her life goes through different phases, my character also changes. So I am guiding her, supporting her, even shaping her journey towards becoming a judge.”
Talking about how convincingly he played the lawyer, Sarkar recalls the reaction on set, “The biggest compliment I got was when my co-actors kept asking if I was a real lawyer. They simply refused to believe that I’m not.”
On Lucknow emerging as a shooting hub, Abhijit sees a clear shift as he says, “This is a big achievement that a full TV show has been shot outside Bombay. I am honoured to be a part of it as this has never happened before. This shows the support, the locations, and the ease that Lucknow offers – Abhijit Sarkar
-Manas Mishra
During this period in the city, she also experienced a memorable professional milestone when she walked the ramp at Lucknow Times Fashion Week as a showstopper. “It was amazing. I had never expected that at such an early stage in my life I would get to walk the ramp like Lucknow Times Fashion Week. It was a surreal moment for me.”
Before arriving at that point, however, the journey for Arunima had been anything but smooth. Moving to Mumbai with the dream of becoming an actor meant facing a long stretch of uncertainty. She added, “My dream was always to act, but Mumbai meant endless auditions and rejections. Ads helped, but series and films were tough,” says Arunima who stared her journey in entertainment with creating reels on social media. “I started seeing how content creators were getting a lot of opportunities and how strong their presence was becoming. I took inspiration from that and thought if they are getting so many chances, why not start something of my own. So I began creating content. Once I started that journey, I actually began enjoying it.”
Work hours could change... Gen Z actors deserve personal life
Arunima speaks openly about the demanding schedule that television actors often face. “The work hours in the TV industry could change a little. Whenever I talk about this with people on set, they immediately start giving examples from the past, how earlier actors did not even have vanity vans and had to change behind trees, or how they used to shoot for three different shows in one day. After hearing all that I sometimes feel like I should just stay quiet. But still, being a Gen Z, I feel actors also have the right to a personal life.”
The actors kept asking if I was a real lawyer: Abhijit Sarkar
City-based professional Abhijit Sarkar, known for his work across communication, media and sports, is now being seen in a key role in the series Tod Kar Dil Mera. Having appeared in shows like Savdhaan India, Crime Patrol, Bhaukaal and Undekhi, he steps into the role of a senior lawyer in this long-running drama. Speaking about his character’s journey in the show, he explains how it evolves with the protagonist, “My character is a senior lawyer and a mentor to the main lead which is played by Anurima Chakraborty. As her life goes through different phases, my character also changes. So I am guiding her, supporting her, even shaping her journey towards becoming a judge.”
On Lucknow emerging as a shooting hub, Abhijit sees a clear shift as he says, “This is a big achievement that a full TV show has been shot outside Bombay. I am honoured to be a part of it as this has never happened before. This shows the support, the locations, and the ease that Lucknow offers – Abhijit Sarkar
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