From Hina Khan to Sneha Wagh: Young television actresses turn mothers to actors their age

They’re smart, glamorous and good-looking — and they’re all mothers in their 20s! Not in real life, of course, but on the small screen. But for most of these actresses, it wasn’t an easy decision to take, since their characters often change dramatically after a time leap on the show. So how do they handle the challenges and play doting mothers to twins, grown-ups and even contemporaries on TV? BT found out:
Hina Khan
Character name: Akshara in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Reel Age: 40 years Playing mother to: 25-year-old son Naksh and 11-year-old daughter Naira
It took her a few meetings with the producer to convince herself to play mother.She says, “Initially, it was difficult. I was told it would be a different look and we would travel to Cape town for the shoot. It’s the performance that counts and not the looks. The feedback has been very positive and encouraging from the audience.”

Paridhi Sharma
Character name: Jodha in Jodha Akbar Reel age: 40 years Playing mother to: 20-year-old Salim
The actress plays mother to actor Ravi Bhatia, who is almost her age. “It depends on the importance of the role and how seriously you take yourself. The show chronicles the journey of Jodha, from a daughter to a wife and eventually, a mother. The progression is natural. The audiences today understand that it’s just a character,” says she.

Toral Rasputra
Character name: Anandi in Balika Vadhu Reel age: 38 years Playing mother to two children: 11-year-old twins Shivam and Nandini
Toral found it quite difficult to play a mother at the outset. “I changed my look from a heavy-makeup and jewellery-clad Anandi to a mother wearing simple and minimal makeup,” she says. The two child artistes made the task of playing their mother easier for the actress. “They are smart. They call me didi and seek my suggestions during the shoot.”

Devoleena Bhattacharjee
Character name: Gopi bahu in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya Reel age: 43 years Playing mother to: 20-year-old Meera and 18-year-old Vidya
The actress, by her own admission, was shocked when she learnt about the time leap that required her to make a transition to an old mother. She says, “God only knows how I convinced myself to play the part. I guess the character has now become an intrinsic part of me, but yes, it was indeed difficult in the beginning.”

Deepika Singh
Character name: Sandhya in Diya Aur Baati Hum Reel age: 33 years Playing mother to: Six-year-old twins Ved and Vansh
It took Deepika two months to say yes, as she kept thinking if she would get typecast as a mother. She says, “When I got to know about the leap, I had tears in my eyes. I hardly got to meet my mother earlier. The leap gave me a chance to be with her. She’s always been strict and that shows in my portrayal too.”

Sneha Wagh
Character name: Ratan in Ek Veera Ki Ardaas... Veera Reel age: 45 years Playing mother to: 28-year-old Ranvijay and 23-year-old Veera
Following the time leap, Sneha made the transition from playing a young mother to an ageing mom of grown-ups on the show. "Playing a mother to small kids was easier and I could do justice to the role of Ratan,” she says. “But playing a mother to adults is a different ballgame. But that’s what being an actor is all about — audiences should be convinced about me as the perfect mother. When I get into costume, I become the character. Off screen, I have a lifestyle like any other young girl and maintain my look as well.”

Amrapali Gupta
Character name: Tanveer/Begum Sahiba in Qubool Hai Reel age: 50 years Played mother to: 29-year-old Aahil and 25-year-old Rehan
Amrapali had no clue what was in store for her post the time leap. She says, “I just knew I was playing Begum Sahiba. I was shocked to find that Karanvir Bohra would play my son Aahil. I was wondering if I had taken the right decision. I went ahead as the character was strong. Playing an older character, especially one who was also blind, was challenging as it required me to change my look, walk, voice and pace of dialogue delivery.”

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