1 week Ago By Jaideep Pandey
The Coronavirus pandemic was certainly the most trying period in recent history. It, however, also brought to the forefront the kindness humankind is capable of. It is this humanitarian spirit that actor Manjari Fadnnis channelled into her character Naina for her latest project, Zee5’s Directed by Aarti S Bagdi, the film was shot at each cast member’s home during the peak of the pandemic-induced lockdown, where actors executed the shooting themselves.
The plot follows three families in a crowded housing society as the pandemic intensifies. The film also features actors Indranil Sengupta and Barkha Bisht. Fadnnis plays a Kathak dancer, who becomes the sole caregiver for her teenage daughter and her mother-in-law, after her husband succumbs to a heart attack.
“The enduring sense of compassion and kindness has enabled us to navigate such challenging times,” she says adding, “I thoroughly enjoyed stepping into Naina’s shoes. Given that we were experiencing similar situations in real life, I could connect with what she was going through.” Fadnnis admits having no prior reference for her character, which made it challenging, but also “incredibly enriching”.
“It’s the true essence of acting—immersing oneself in the life of another soul. Understanding their inner world feels like embodying not just their shoes, but their very souls. This process helps develop a broader perspective and fosters greater empathy for people in general.
It challenges us to delve deeper into the character’s psyche, expanding our craft and personal insight, making the acting experience rewarding.” The actor believes that Naina is someone with whom almost everyone will empathise. “Whether it’s someone who’s a caretaker for an elderly person, the sole breadwinner struggling to balance family needs with personal passions, an individual fighting to hold onto a dream that’s slipping away, or someone so focused on taking care of others that they neglect their own wellbeing, Naina’s emotional journey resonates widely,” she adds.
Veteran actor Seema Biswas of fame plays her mother-in-law. Fadnnis describes her as “a masterclass in herself,” adding, that “her ability to enrich a role with such subtlety and complexity was truly inspiring. Despite the character being simply written, she infused it with depth and emotional nuance, skillfully hitting the right points and incorporating organic elements of comedy”.
Seen last year in , Fadnnis believes that filming during the pandemic not only kept her creatively and mentally stimulated, but also gave her newfound appreciation for those working behind the scenes on a film set. She says, “It was a revelation, showing me that creative minds will always find a way, regardless of the challenges. Typically, as actors, we arrive on set, focus on our roles, and are supported by an entire crew that takes care of everything else.
However, in this situation, I was responsible for so much more—acting as an assistant director, cameraman, art director, stylist, makeup artist, and even spot boy. At first, it was overwhelming, but as I adapted, it became an incredibly humbling experience.” Shortly after the film’s release, the star also made her singing debut with , composed by Gourov Dasgupta.
Looking ahead, she is set to star in , where she reunites with actors Amit Sadh and Jim Sarbh. She will also make a cameo appearance in Abbas Mustan’s tentatively titled opposite Sharman Joshi. Then, she will headline alongside Shreyas Talpade, under the direction of National Award-winning filmmaker Gajendra Ahire.
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