Karuna Pandey on her character post leap in Sony SAB's Pushpa Impossible

Sony SAB’s acclaimed show Pushpa Impossible has been winning hearts with its empowering narrative of Pushpa (Karuna Pandey) - a spirited woman who continues to defy stereotypes and inspire millions. With the show taking a significant 7-year leap, audiences now witness Pushpa embracing a new chapter in her life as an advocate, symbolizing courage, resilience and the power of lifelong learning. From a mother striving to educate herself to now a lawyer determined to stand up for justice, Pushpa’s journey comes full circle.

In a candid conversation, Karuna Pandey opens up about Pushpa’s evolution, her preparation for this new phase, and the journey ahead. 

The show has taken a 7-year leap. How does it feel to explore a new chapter in Pushpa’s life, and what were your first thoughts when you learned that she would become an advocate?
It is truly heartening and very encouraging to be part of Pushpa Impossible as it takes its leap. Pushpa’s life has entered a whole new chapter. Of course, she was studying law, so eventually becoming an advocate was a natural and powerful progression. She has always wanted to serve society, to stand by people who may be destitute or in need and now she has taken one more step forward. When I learnt that I would play a lawyer, I was very happy because Pushpa always stood by people with her whole heart. Now she carries the badge of a lawyer and I believe she can fight for people more than ever. I was genuinely excited when I heard about this.

Pushpa has been a strong, self-made woman. How do you see her evolution from a student in her late 40s to now, an advocate after the 7-year leap?
Certainly, she has evolved significantly as a person. Her core remains the same, her rawness, her innocence, her beauty, but as a human being, she has grown. She has learnt when to react and when to stay calm. She has grown in understanding what is right and what is not. Her awareness has broadened. It is quite rare on television to show a woman who starts studying at age forty, goes back to school, completes her education, runs a business and then becomes a lawyer. And she has managed all of that. I find this journey very inspiring for our audience.

How have her relationships with her children and family changed over these seven years?
Though the relationship dynamics have changed, the love remains constant. Because the children have grown and lead their own lives, now things are different. Pushpa, too, has adapted herself to these changes, yet she still strives to belong in her earlier role as a hands-on mother. She intervenes when needed, worries as a mother does, yet she also recognises she must decide how much to interfere and how much to step back. The children have their own temperaments now, so she is constantly finding the right balance. It is a realistic portrayal of what happens in a family over time.

What kind of preparation did you do to portray Pushpa as an advocate? Did you study legal language or consult real advocates?
I would not say I studied law in depth, but yes, I spoke with people, watched videos, observed how court institutions work and how different lawyers operate. Everyone has a different style. So I gathered as much information as possible. But more than that, I depended on the script, because we are making a fictional show. So while I ensured authenticity, I also trusted the script to guide the performance. That balance was important.

Pushpa will now face challenges in a male-dominated legal world. As a woman yourself, how do you think this part of the story will connect or make an impact on the audience?
I definitely feel this storyline will connect and make an impact. Every woman wants to play her part in society just as a man does, and wants equal opportunities. In this story, Pushpa now enters a legal world dominated by men, and we shine a light on that truth. Male dominance in courtrooms is real, and this show highlights it, but we also underline that it exists in many corners of life. We have come a long way from an era where women stayed silent about their rights. Today, women are walking beside men, stepping into leadership, demanding equality. This arc, I believe, will especially resonate with our amazing women viewers and inspire meaningful conversations.

Without revealing too much, what kind of challenges will Pushpa face as she enters the world of advocacy?
As Pushpa steps into the world of advocacy, she’s entering an entirely new space where she will have to unlearn and relearn a lot. The biggest challenge for her will be balancing her sense of justice with the complex realities of the legal system. Pushpa is someone who relies on her heart and instincts, but advocacy demands strategy, patience, and technical knowledge. Viewers will see her face situations that test not just her intelligence, but also her morals and emotional strength. It’s going to be a new kind of fight for Pushpa, one where words, logic and laws become her weapons.

Has Pushpa influenced you personally in any way over the years?
Yes, of course. Playing a character for so long means that unconsciously, you get inspired and impacted by her. I have been in her zone for 12 hours a day, for many years now. So yes, Pushpa has taught me to fight for what is right, to focus my energy on my goals, and not to waste time on things that do not matter. It is better to channel all your energy into positive things and into the direction where you want to go, rather than thinking about things you cannot change

What do you hope viewers—especially women—take away from Pushpa’s latest transformation?
Women are going to gain a lot from this journey. They have seen Pushpa study later in life, struggle for her children’s betterment, fight for her dignity, run a patola business and now step into the courtroom as an advocate. Every stage of her journey, the fears, the resilience, the progress, has been witnessed by our audience. I believe those who watched not only observed but absorbed valuable life lessons. I hope that these lessons stay with them and help them in their own lives: how to confront struggles, how to stand tall in the midst of hard times and how to evolve through challenges. There are many takeaways from Pushpa’s journey and I hope our viewers carry them forward into their own stories.