Dabangii - Mulgi Aayi Re Aayi actor Sai Deodhar says " Playing the character of Chhaya presents various shades and proves to be a compelling challenge.”

Sony Entertainment Television is all set to introduce viewers to the feisty and fearless, Arya, with, ‘Dabangii - Mulgi Aayi Re Aayi’. This entertaining drama airs every Monday to Friday at 8:30 PM, promising audiences a riveting tale of a daughter's quest to find and unite with her father, entering a world with hidden secrets and entangled relationships that will turn her life upside down. A remarkable ensemble, featuring Maahi Bhadra as Arya, Sai Deodhar as Chhaya, Aamir Dalvi as Satya, and Manav Gohil as Ankush, will bring to life the captivating characters of the show, each exploring the multifaceted layers of human emotion and the eternal battle between good and evil.

Acclaimed actress Sai Deodhar, who is essays the role of Arya’s mother, Chhaya shares insights about the show, her character, her comeback and camaraderie with her co-stars, in a candid conversation.

After a long gap, you are returning to television with a powerful character. What attracted you to choose this role?
“I took a sabbatical from TV for 5 years because I wasn’t too convinced with the roles that were offered to me. So, I decided to stay behind the camera as a producer. But I wanted to be back on television because TV is a place where I wanted to stay connected. When 'Dabangii Mulgii Aayi Re Aayi' was offered to me, my first reaction was, "I’m not sure," as I was in the autopilot mode of saying 'No.' But they asked me to listen to the story and the character of Chhaya. When I heard the story and my role, I didn't want to miss out. I loved the subject, the thrill, drama, adventure, the sweet relationship of a daughter and mother; and how the daughter is looking forward to meet her father. Also, the intricate relationship between two brothers with contrasting ideologies is quite gripping. That's what attracted me to the story but the win-win moment for me was the mother-daughter bond.”

Can you tell us something about your character, Chhaya?
“Chhaya's character is multi-faceted, spanning both in the past and present. In the past, she harbored dreams of a happy marriage and children, but her aspirations shattered when she realized her husband, whom she loved, was not the person she thought. Threatened by Satya's intentions to take Arya away, she fled, fearing for their lives. In her earlier days, Chhaya was a vivacious, beautifully dressed, happy-go-lucky woman. In the present, she leads a more ordinary life, but her unyielding determination to protect her child shines through. Chhaya, a single mother, faces adversity and adversarial circumstances, yet her inner strength prevails as she fights to save Arya from her father. Playing this character presents various shades and proves to be a compelling challenge."

How is your bond with Aamir Dalvi and Maahi Bhadra (Arya)?
“I'm working with Aamir Dalvi for the first time. He has worked with Shakti, and I have seen his previous work. Aamir is a very good and serious actor, it's great fun working with him on set. Maahi Bhadra, our cute little Arya, is a chota packet bada dhamaka. At such a young age, she enjoys acting and is quite a performer. She really understands what her character demands and does exactly what the director asks. I learn a lot from her, and she maintains high energy levels throughout the day. It’s really fun to work with these two.”

You are a Maharashtrian and will be seen playing a Maharashtrian character on screen. How did your background help in portraying Chhaya?
“It's very rare that you get to play a character that resembles your real life. I think it helped me to play Chhaya because I'm a Maharashtrian, and the story is about a Maharashtrian family. So being a Maharashtrian helped me get into the skin of the character smoothly. In fact, on set, I feel like a teacher as my co-stars are not Maharashtrians and not very proficient in Marathi. I teach them Marathi and help with their pronunciation. I also carry Maharashtrian food on set and share it with everyone.”

You are making a comeback in the television industry after a gap of 5 years. What changes are you seeing in television?
“I had opened my eyes to the entertainment industry as my father was a renowned DOP, and my mother is a national award-winning filmmaker. The industry is changing very fast in this era. We have a lot of content to watch; there's OTT, and cinema is changing as well. According to the times, television has also changed a lot. I think change is very important and the audience is very intelligent to choose what they like.  'Dabangii Mulgii Aayi Re Aayi,' Is a story that will cater to a larger audience.  The storyline revolves around a father and daughter, and it's a story of contrasting ideologies, obsession, power, dignity, and blood relations. Such content was not made earlier. I think 'Dabangii' is a perfect example of good content and mass appeal.

What is the difference between playing a mother in reel life and real life?
“Playing a mother on-screen and off-screen, the difference is that the situations on screen are very dramatic. You're not saving a child from goons on a daily basis in real life. Reel life is larger than life, and the situations are unreal; you don't face them in real life. But being a mother, the tone, emotions, body language, love, and the way you touch your child's head, all come naturally when you're a mother on reel life. You consider that child as your real child, so the emotions come naturally. You comfort them, clean their face, talk to them with love, and even scold them when they are wrong. My bond with kids is good; whenever I work with kids, they feel that I'm their real mother. I feel so comfortable working with them, and the scenes come out well.”