Most of you have known Vedika Bhandari as Neha Raj Jindal from the television serial ‘Woh Apna Sa’.
After cementing her position as one of the bubbliest and promising faces on television, the young actress made her foray into films with ‘Dream Girl’.
After giving herself a break of almost two years, the actress made her web debut with Samit Kakkad’s ‘Indori Ishq’, which released on MX Player recently.
In the series, the actress plays the role of a mean girlfriend Tara, who becomes the reason behind her boyfriend’s spiteful attitude.
In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, the actress opens up about the reason behind taking a break, struggles of being consistent in showbiz, and the kind of work she’s willing to do.
Throughout your years in showbiz, what has been your biggest takeaway?
The few years that I have been part of the industry, I’ve learned a lot.
My journey from the first commercial till today has been very interesting as well as full of struggle; nothing has come easy to me.
I have worked really hard and the biggest takeaway is not to expect.
Just give your best during an audition, irrespective of whether of you want the role or not, and move on.
You also need to have patience–the right thing at the right time will come your way.
You need to keep working hard in the direction of what you are working for, and good things will come your way.
You are one of the most iconic faces in television.
How has the transition from TV to OTT been?
My love for TV will always be there at the core of my heart because whatever I’ve got in life and career is because of it.
At the same time, I feel that OTT is the future at this point, keeping the whole pandemic situation in mind.
People are now looking forward to newer content and different stories.
The OTT industry has already grown immensely in a very short period of time.
So, it feels really great to be working on the web.
Both mediums have their pros and cons.
At the end of the day, I am an actor and whatever I get to perform, I am going to give my best and I will be very very happy doesn’t matter whether it’s TV, OTT, films or commercials–I just love all kinds of mediums.
Being a Gen Z actress, what are the kind of challenges you face now? How do you look at the competition?
You have to work hard no matter what, It’s all about how you look at the competition with your contemporaries.
So, I am not in the headspace to use the word competition.
I want to do better work and I am looking forward to exploring something different and interesting which will help me know myself as an actor.
I feel that as long as you work on yourself, you are getting better every day.
I do wish everyone well because I know how hard it is, what a tough industry it is! I know the struggle is real.
In your career, what are the biggest challenges you have come across, and how did you handle them?
I come from a family that has no idea of what this whole industry is about.
We have seen it from the outside and nobody has a clue of what acting is, the kind of challenges that we face, and the struggles we have to go through.
So, it was very hard initially to know what kind of industry it is, how it works and I am still learning.
I still don’t know a lot of things.
I come from a family where everybody has a job, everybody has stability.
As for me, when I am working you won’t see me at home because I am so busy and then I could be home for six months at a stretch.
Something like that is very very hard to understand.
You have to come to terms with it and that’s how it works.
You have to really be strong, you can feel low but have to get out of it.
Having a strong support system, having your parent’s support, helps you get through your hard day.
An empty mind is a devil’s workshop, you have to keep your mind occupied whether it is picking up a hobby, or training yourself.
It’s so good to have you back on the screen.
Now that you are here, are you being choosy about scripts?
I do not reject any work at all.
Being a good actor is not enough to work on a project.
There are so many other factors.
I am not being choosy, I always sit down and read the script first, understand the crux of the story, I discuss it with people around me.
We sit down and try to understand what is good and what is not.
So, I don’t think it’s being called choosy, but, yes, I think it is important to know the kind of work you are getting into.
What are the kind of roles you are looking forward to?
I am a sucker for love.
I love romantic comedy, light-hearted happy endings.
I do appreciate intense shows too but I feel like right now the frame of mind of our country is such that they can use shows to distract them from what is happening.
I think if ever a remake would be made in India of ’10 Things I Hate About You’ I think I should be part of it; it’s my favourite Hollywood romcom.
Do all TV actors eventually want to get into films?
Not necessarily, I don’t feel like that every TV actor would want to be on the big screen.
But I am sure if the opportunity presents itself nobody would directly reject it.
I think it’s very subjective.
If they want to explore and want to try something new, great.
So, it depends on person to person, I guess everybody has a different take on their careers in TV and the film industry.
As for me, I don’t really look for only lead parts or side roles; a character is a character.
If I get an opportunity I would love to take it up whether it will be for films, shows, or commercials.
How do you deal with setbacks and failures?
It’s very hard when you are eagerly waiting for the call for a role but it doesn’t come.
Facing rejections and still standing up on your feet and being as confident as ever takes a lot of courage.
So, yes it’s hard.
You have to keep training your mind.
I think reading and watching positive things, doing a little bit of meditation, taking it one step at a time and not rushing to it, trying to be calm helps.
People do need to change their mindsets about mental health issues.
We do have actors and known personalities who are coming out and talking about it, because if we don’t talk about it we will not normalise it.
Are you happy how things are shaping up for you in the industry?
I have learned to be happy with whatever opportunities are coming my way, I am ambitious but I have also learned how not to be too greedy.
I’ve learnt to be slow and steady.
I am making my way through.
I am sure good things are coming and I think that’s the best I can do.
Yes, I am happy and I know that I have worked really hard and struggled, have done small and big campaigns, theatre, TV, and now I am doing web, I have also played small parts in films.
So, yes, I am getting there.
One thing which really inspires you about the industry?
Everyone here has a certain vibe.
I don’t think that we can plan anything, we just go with the flow, be it any kind of situation.
This inspires me.
