Having won the audience appreciation with her acting skills in the television serial “Tu Mera Hero”, a comedy-drama soap, now actor Sonia Balani is all set to appear in another TV show “Detective Didi”.
Playing a bubbly character who loves challenges and solving cases, it is a weekly fictional detective show. To be telecast from December 9 on Zee TV, she plays the the lead role of Bunty Sharma. Her co-actor is Manish Goplani who plays a cop.
Recently in the Capital to shoot and promote the show, she talked about the serial, her character, experience of shooting in Delhi and the growing crime against women.
Excerpts:
Tell us about your new show “Detective Didi”
This is a detective show. All stories are based in Delhi and NCR. My character Bunty Sharma is an amateur detective. She follows her own instinct to solve crimes in her city with a police officer Bhim Singh (played by actor Manish Goplani) from Delhi Police. The initial episodes of the show will zero in on social crimes.
Tell us about the character you essay in the show
Bunty is a Delhi girl. She is a law abiding citizen but believes in her own way to solve crimes in her locality. As Bunty, I want to break the stereotypes in our society. My character shows one can help police in solving crimes. She does her normal work in family and yet has this very distinctive quality to fight against crime. She can chase and fight criminals.
What preparation did you do for playing this role?
There were many challenges to essay this role of a detective. And there was very little time for preparation.
As an actor, it is very challenging to do this role. I am watching some detective series to understand the body language of a detective. I am also undergoing some physical training. As an actor, I get all details and research through our research team but at personal level I am trying to learn and understand how to effectively play the role of a detective. As an actor, personal involvement in your characters helps you to perform better.
What will you advice people in real life to fight against crime
They need to be brave, bold and alert. Fear is a bad thing. Always try to fight against crime, and knowing and understanding of law will make you strong. So, get to know laws pertaining to IPC, CrPC and Constitutional Law. Also education is very important. Spread awareness and education in your surroundings. It will certainly help in curbing crime.
And every law abiding citizen must raise alarm against crime. Crime against women is rising and we must fight it with force. Today’s women are doing exceptional work in our society. People should respect them.
How was your experience of shooting in Delhi?
I am from Agra. I live and work in Mumbai. Shooting at real locations in Delhi, was both interesting and challenging. I love Delhi now. This show gave me an opportunity to explore the city, particularly its food. I love winter and Delhi’s winter is lovely.
