Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Abhidnya Bhave: I want to be first preference to play roles with substance

Abhidnya Bhave: I want to be first preference to play roles with substance

POPULAR actress Abhidnya Bhave started with a couple of cameos in Hindi drama serials, but really made a big name for herself after stepping away from that space and delivering winning performances in Marathi projects.

After a whole host of terrific turns in film and TV shows in the regional language across six years, she made a winning return to Hindi TV recently with the massively popular Pavitra Rishta 2.0, a reboot of the classic drama serial of the same name. She is now looking forward to showing off her impressive range and has multiple paths open to her.


Eastern Eye caught up with the smallscreen star to discuss her interesting acting journey, Pavitra Rishta 2.0 and future hopes.

What first connected you to acting?

In some way we all want to step away from our lives and try new things or make some changes to our personality, which is difficult. But being an actor gives you the liberty to think from the other side and get into another person’s shoes. Then as Abhidnya, I can add something to that, keeping in mind how the character would think and react. So, it changes your perspective as a human being and as an actor. You become more selfless and start thinking about others more than yourself. I love that about acting. It allows me to push boundaries and be different every day.

You started out acting in Hindi projects, but quickly switched to Marathi. Why is that?

The characters I played in Hindi were negligible. I switched to Marathi because I got good opportunities and got to be an actor. In Marathi, good characters were written for me, which I am known for. I got back-to-back projects in Marathi and became very busy. Someday I thought I would get back to the Hindi industry and stay. That happened with Pavitra Rishta.

What led towards Pavitra Rishta 2.0?

I did not choose it, this show chose me. I was asked to give an audition, which I did. I later went for a reading and look test and was selected. I think it was all destined. Pavitra Rishta chose me. The characters remain the same, but this new interpretation of the much loved drama serial Pavitra Rishta is very modern and crisp.

Tell us about the experience of playing your character Manjusha in it?

Manjusha is protecting her husband and brother but doesn’t understand she is harming lot of people around her or unintentionally creating hurdles. I kept that in mind so the intentional had to look unintentional, otherwise the character would be different. I hope that thought reaches the viewers.

Lead Abhidnya Bhave 10 Abhidnya Bhave

How does it compare to the original?

You cannot compare the two because the original was unique and so is Pavitra Rishta 2.0. The way the characters are written and portrayed is different. The only comparison would be that Pavitra Rishta then was a brand, and this will also be a brand. Both are individually strong enough to stand on their own.

Did you take any references from the original when preparing for the role?

Yes. I had watched the whole show and knew how Manjusha was in it, but when I started portraying her, I knew I wouldn’t be doing the same thing which she did back then. I wanted to bring my own element and that is what I absolutely tried to do. I got my own thoughts into the character and tried to keep her as real as possible. Even though Manjusha is a little over the top, I did not want to go like that in this series, and so I tried to keep her realistic.

How does this compare to other projects you have done?

In the other projects, I think I could never be this realistic. I have always been attracted to real things, whether it is a film or on television. The biggest challenge was not to wear much make-up on screen, but any insecurities soon vanished. When you present yourself as real, it becomes effortless, because there is nothing between you and your camera, not even make-up.

What is the plan going forward?

The plan is only to do amazing projects and deliver great performances. To let directors and producers know the girl named Abhidnya is ready to take risks. My focus is not to do glamorous roles, but performance-oriented characters audiences will notice, so much so that I would be the first preference for such roles.

What kind of roles do you want?

I have done a lot of grey-shaded characters, so for a change, I want to do something for which I get sympathy. I have never felt or experienced that from audiences because like I said, I usually play characters with shades of grey, and they say ‘you are too bad’. Ultimately, I never keep boundaries and am open for any good opportunity which will challenge and enhance me.

Who would you love to work with?

I always wanted to work with Shaheer (Sheikh). When I got to know that he will play Manav in Pavitra Rishta 2.0, my heart skipped a beat. Thankfully I got scenes with him and I want to work with him in future projects. I also want to share the screen with Ranveer Singh because he is such a versatile actor and I want to learn from him.

What kind of content do you enjoy watching as an audience?

I love watching crime-based shows, horror films, docu-dramas and serials based on real events. I enjoy shows full of drama and relationships, and also enjoyed situational comedy Schitt’s Creek.

What is your idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is seeing people happy around me, especially those who mean a lot to me. That makes me feel happy and blessed. My world revolves around my parents and husband. When they watch me on screen and feel happy, that makes me happy too. I am happier with their happiness than my own. I work for them, and making them proud are moments I enjoy most in my life. That is what I think I work for.

Finally, why should we tune into Pavitra Rishta 2.0?

You should watch Pavitra Rishta 2.0 because it is Pavitra Rishta. It’s the sweetest

innocent form of what you saw previously. Every actor associated with it has given more than 100 per cent and did it as a tribute to Sushant (Singh Rajput). He had already taken Pavitra Rishta to the next level and set a benchmark for us. We had no option but to live up to that. It is a more realistic version of the drama you were a fan of. Everyone who has worked on it has done a great job. When you watch it, you will know.

More For You

 20 Years of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – A TV Legacy That Lives On

20 years of love, loss, and unforgettable moments—Grey’s Anatomy continues to define TV drama

Pinterest

20 years of 'Grey’s Anatomy': The show that became a lifeline

For someone who has always craved fast-paced crime shows, I never thought I’d care about a hospital drama. The scrubs, the medical jargon, the beeping monitors, it all felt distant, clinical. But life breaks you open when you least expect it. I started Grey’s Anatomy on a night when my own grief was too loud. I needed noise to fill the silence. Then Meredith Grey’s voice cut through:

“So, do it. Decide.
Is this the life you want to live?
Is this the person you want to love?
Is this the best you can be?
Can you be stronger? Kinder?
More compassionate? Decide.

Keep ReadingShow less
Beck Theatre gears up for World Theatre Day with an exciting lineup of shows

Beck Theatre is proud to announce its exciting 2025 programme

Beck Theatre

Beck Theatre gears up for World Theatre Day with an exciting lineup of shows

As World Theatre Day approaches on 27 March, the Beck Theatre is excited to share news of its vibrant new programme, celebrating the magic and significance of live performance. After undergoing a period of transition last year, the theatre is now back on track, offering a fantastic lineup that highlights the power of theatre to unite communities and entertain audiences of all ages.

Located in Hayes, London, the Beck Theatre has been a cultural hub for decades, hosting a wide range of live performances, from musicals and plays to comedy and community events. With its commitment to providing diverse entertainment for the local community, the theatre is looking forward to a busy year ahead. In honour of World Theatre Day, the Beck Theatre is proud to announce its exciting 2025 programme, which features a mix of high-profile acts and community-driven events.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anoushka Shankar

Anoushka Shankar will perform Passages in full in a Brighton Festival

Getty Images

Anoushka Shankar, Rachel Portman, and Susanna Mälkki to perform at Brighton Festival 2025

Brighton Festival 2025 is set to bring an exciting array of collaborative classical performances that span centuries and generations, with a dynamic lineup of artists showcasing music from across the ages. The festival's classical programme, curated under the artistic direction of the Grammy-nominated sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar, promises a journey through time with performances that bridge both the Baroque period and modern orchestral works.

Anoushka Shankar will also be gracing the stage herself, performing music by her father, the legendary Ravi Shankar, alongside the Britten Sinfonia and Indian classical musicians, in a rare live rendition of Passages, an album created by her father in collaboration with the minimalist composer Philip Glass.

Keep ReadingShow less
Monica Ali reflects on Brick Lane, identity, and her writing journey

Monica Ali

Monica Ali reflects on Brick Lane, identity, and her writing journey

MONICA ALI, who made her debut as a novelist with Brick Lane in 2003, was the main attraction at the London Book Fair last Wednesday (12).

As “adult author of the day”, she was interviewed before an international audience by fellow writer and critic Chris Power.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust using cutting-edge
methods to save ‘rarest native tree’
Propagation of new native black poplars at the National Trust\u2019s Plant Conservation Centre in Devon

National Trust using cutting-edge methods to save ‘rarest native tree’

THIS year’s much-anticipated Octavia Hill lecture will be given on April 1 by professor Alice Roberts, the National Trust has announced.

She “will focus on, ‘Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?’”

Keep ReadingShow less