EXCLUSIVE: Asha Negi on Voot’s Khwabon Ke Parindey – “It was a very different and fun experience”

By Mitisha Mavani -

June 12, 2021 - 11:58 AM IST

Actress Asha Negi is also set to stir up a storm with Voot’s latest outing, Khwabon Ke Parindey where she is seen essaying the role of her college student who goes on a wild road trip with her friends which allows everyone to rediscover themselves. Set against the scenic landscape of the land down under – Australia, the show revolves around the lives of the three main protagonists – Bindiya, Dixit and Megha. After graduating from the University of Melbourne, wild child Bindiya, convinces two of her most trusted friends, Dixit and Megha to accompany her on an ambitious and potentially crazy road trip from Melbourne to Perth. On their journey, they meet the quirky, witty and rugged hitchhiker Aakash. This trip means so much to each one of them as this journey gives them an opportunity to rediscover themselves and become each other’s truth serum. Directed by Tapasvi Mehta and starring Asha Negi, Mrinal Dutt, Manasi Moghe and Tushar Sharma in the lead characters, celebrates friendships and hope.

EXCLUSIVE: Asha Negi on Voot’s Khwabon Ke Parindey – “It was a very different and fun experience”

Asha Negi recently spoke to Bollywood Hungama to talk about her experience, the lockdown and her plans for the future.

After Baarish, Khwabon Ke Parindey is your latest work stint? How was the experience?
It has been a great experience. The shooting bit, staying in bunk beds, travelling all around, sharing rooms and toilets – it was a very different and fun experience. I felt like the character and I felt like I was living her life while shooting. These things make me feel so grateful for being an actor because I can experience so many things and explore with every character.

Like your character in Khwabon Ke Parindey has made several sacrifices to achieve her dreams, do you recall making any such sacrifice to reach where you have today?
Yes! I was a small town girl from Uttarakhand. I grew up in a middle class family, I always felt like I'll do something, I'll become a teacher or something else; acting was never on the agenda. Until, I went for Ms. Uttarakhand and that worked as a stepping stone for me. After winning that, I believed I could step out of my hometown and make a living out of this. That's when I convinced my parents, left Dehradun, came to Bombay, stepped out of my comfort zone and took that risk. Although, I'd told my parents that they need to let me try it out and they must give me three months and I'd return if things don't work out but fortunately they did. It was a risk worth taking.

Any takeaway from the show or your character?
I have learnt so much from the show and my character – all the small things, not living the lavish lifestyle, making tiny adjustments. Like I remember, Mrunal and I had a fight during the first few days of the shoot and we sorted things out and now we're still in touch and we catch up every now and then. It's all about survival and independence when you're away from home, away from friends and family and how you get through everything. This show also made me want to take a solo trip and experience the thrill of it because it's a different experience altogether.

How has the lockdown been for you? How are you keeping yourself busy?
Firstly, my heart goes out to everyone for whom this lockdown has been difficult, because it has been. But honestly, I love being at home. I love being by myself. My friends absolutely hate me for this. I meet people for a few days and then I just want to be by myself; my social battery runs out. But when I am at home, I love watching shows, I love reading. Now, I've started planning my days, even if it is as small as having my smoothie, I plan it. So, it gives me something to look forward to and I get things done. I was talking to a friend the other day and they said that the lockdown just makes your schedule go haywire but I believe if you plan things out, going about with everything just becomes easier.

During the last lockdown, you had a packed schedule with Baarish and Ludo. How was it juggling shoots of two different genres?
Honestly, the previous lockdown was much stricter; so we are all at home. We were doing interviews and getting things done from home. And I believe the lockdown really worked for Baarish. Because there were so many thrillers and mysteries coming out, Baarish was made on a lighter note and that worked out well. And that's the same thing with Khwabon Ke Parindey as well, it's made on such a light and positive note; the audience will really enjoy it.

Do you prefer shooting for TV or OTT? What's your happy place?
I wouldn't mind going back to television if I get a good story, good concept and a good show except I don't want to engage myself in to something for years. I want to just do good work. OTT allows me to explore more and try out new things. It allows you to move from one character to another and that satisfies me creatively because I am experiencing new things.

You now keep yourself very private and only when there's work, your name pops up. Do you feel that you only want to let your work talk and not the otherwise stuff that gets a lot of attention?
I love being private and I would only want my work to speak for itself. I am an actor and I am here to entertain everyone with my work that should be focused on. I don't want my private life to be of centre focus. I want my work to stand out and speak for itself.

What are you looking forward to doing? What's next? Would you continue to do web projects or plan to return to TV?
I am just looking forward to doing good work. I want to experiment, explore and try out new things. I want to make the best of the opportunities that come my way and keep entertaining and putting out great work, that's the only thing I am looking forward to. Be it OTT or TV, I want to keep exploring and experiencing new things and challenge myself because that satisfies me as an actor and fulfils me creatively.

Also Read: Asha Negi to star in Voot’s Khwabon Ke Parindey, she says the show is a journey of life and hope