Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Mahima Makwana: The fire of doing better and bigger never mellows

TV STAR OPENS UP ABOUT WORK AFTER LOCKDOWN AND HIT SHOW

by MOHNISH SINGH


AFTER staying at home for almost four months due to the restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, Mahima Makwana resumed shooting for her show Shubharambh last month.

Like many people around the world, the 21-year-old is working under challenging conditions, but despite her young age she is up to the challenge. The young actress has had a successful run, which started as a 10-year-old with popular Colors show Balika Vadhu, and has been working non-stop ever since then.

An 11-year-long career has seen her front the cast of several notable shows such as Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke, Adhuri Kahaani Hamari, and Rishton Ka Chakravyuh, which have all helped solidify her standing as a highly versatile actress. She is portraying the lead character of Rani Dave Reshammiya on daily soap Shubharambh, which marked her return to Colors after a decade.

Speaking to Eastern Eye, Mahima opened up about returning to work amid the rising cases of coronavirus, the response her show has garnered after airing fresh episodes post-lockdown, her proudest achievement and more.

With the entertainment industry crawling back to normalcy after a shutdown of almost four months, how are you coping with life in this new world?

Firstly, I am grateful that I have my work to get back to because there are thousands of people who have no work at all right now. Besides, it is a difficult phase for a lot of people out there, so it does get tough to keep yourself sane. But I have learnt that it is important to live one day at a time.

Isn’t it difficult to shoot for your show Shubharambh under new normal?

I was too apprehensive at first for Covid-19 is a music that keeps on playing in the background, but one has to keep up with it, while taking all the necessary precautions and safety. We are shooting with limited people. We ensure that we maintain social distancing and have tried inculcating scenes with less crowds under the new normal. While doing so, we make it a point to not compromise on the quality of work.

What kind of response has Shubharambh been getting for its fresh episodes after the shooting was resumed?

The response has been lovely. People have been loving the new drama. The show resumed with a twist in the story line wherein Rani, my character, loses her memory and both protagonists get back to each other.

Do you feel that you have anything in common with Rani?

The fact that she is confident and wants to live independently is something I think is similar between us.

What is the post-lockdown version of Mahima Makwana?

I believe that lockdown has really made a huge difference. Gratitude is the best attitude. I am grateful for the smallest of things that I have now. I have also realised that to live in the present is what is really important.

When did you know you wanted to be an actress and how did your life change after you became one?

I started off auditioning when I was around nine or 10 years old. After giving tons of them, and getting some little work, I climbed up the ladder and realised this is where I belong, and it’s something I want to pursue. I don’t let my personal life get affected by success or failure. Professionally, the only constant I want is to keep growing and moving. You started acting very young. You are still a young woman, but you have had more than a decade of experience in acting.

What is it about your profession that appeals to you so much?

There is a long list. I think that storytelling is something, which appeals to me as, while acting, I am just not myself, but a lot of characters. Acting lets me execute the writing to become the being and reach out to the audience. Even after tons of retakes, it should appear as if it is happening for the first time. Acting is a pure representation of someone else. A different world that one is in.

Looking back at your career so far, what is your proudest achievement?

Everything that I do makes me feel proud. At the same time, the fire of doing better and bigger never mellows, which I think  is a great thing. I am excited and keen about my web series Flesh, which will be coming out soon on Eros Now. It is something that I am really thrilled about.

What's your dream role?

I don’t really have a particular dream role. I’d love to do everything exciting and interesting that comes my way.

You turned 21 on August 5. What are your dreams for the future?

My dreams would be to see myself at the top in my profession and travel around the globe.

What are your biggest passions away from work?

I love dancing, and would love to explore the traveller in me.

How do you see the Indian entertainment industry post Covid-19 era and how is creativity changing in the television industry in particular?

A lot of people are out of work in every industry, including entertainment. Besides that, creatively, the writers have tried to keep the norms and guidelines intact in script, which is nearly impossible. Apart from this, television has a different set of audience for it to change or upgrade its content, so the change has been slow and steady.

Most actors see themselves on the big screen. Do you ever think of transitioning to Bollywood one day?

Obviously, Bollywood has always been a huge part of the bigger dreams. I hope I get there soon.

Finally, please give a message to your fans in the UK?

Thank you so much for all the love and support. Keep the love coming. Stay happy and be grateful.

More For You

brain-structures-at-birth-getty

Researchers from the University of Cambridge, UK, examined brain scans of over 500 newborns—236 girls and 278 boys—aged between 0 and 28 days. (Representational image: iStock)

Girls have more grey matter, boys more white matter at birth: Study

A NEW study has found that newborn girls and boys have distinct brain structures at birth. While boys tend to have larger brains with more white matter, girls have significantly more grey matter, which is linked to learning, speech, and cognition.

Published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences, the study suggests these differences may result from biological sex-specific development in the womb.

Keep ReadingShow less
nhs-hospital-getty

NHS faces pressure as flu admissions rise sharply

FLU cases in the country have surged, with over 5,000 hospital admissions last week, marking a sharp increase as the NHS faces pressure from a winter quad-demic of flu, Covid, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus.

According to The Times, flu admissions rose from 4,102 on Christmas Day to 5,074 by 29 December.

Keep ReadingShow less
AI-diabetes-risk-tool-iStock

World's first AI diabetes risk tool to be tested by NHS in 2025

THE NHS in England is set to launch a world-first trial of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that predicts the risk of developing type 2 diabetes up to 13 years before symptoms appear.

The trial, scheduled for 2025, will take place at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, The Guardian reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Agni: The sacred science of fire and its transformative power

Fire (agni) holds a profound significance in Vedic rituals

iStock

Agni: The sacred science of fire and its transformative power

Ashwini Guruji

Agni, the first word of the Rig Veda, holds a profound significance. It is, in fact, a wondrous element. While most are familiar with fire for its heat and light, very few understand that fire sustains our body and plays a pivotal role in cleansing it and the surrounding elements. Even fewer appreciate its role as a medium to connect with the Devlok (realm of the divine), and hardly anyone explores its potential to manifest changes within and around them. Dhyan Ashram is one such rare place in today’s world where sadhaks (practitioners) experiment with and experience the extraordinary properties of fire.

In Vedic times, yagyas were a routine practice. They were not mere rituals but a precise science designed to invoke and channel the forces of Creation through the medium of fire. The Vedic Shastras detail nearly 400 types of yagyas, each with a specific purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
genomics-iStock

A recent RHO review highlighted significant gaps in health equity data for genomic services. (Representational image: iStock)

NHS study to tackle inequalities in access to genomic medicine

THE NHS Race and Health Observatory (RHO) and NHS England have launched an 18-month research project to address disparities faced by ethnic minority groups in accessing genomic medicine.

The initiative will examine racial and ethnic biases in the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) through national and regional assessments of health inequalities.

Keep ReadingShow less