Witchful thinking?
Gurnaaz Kaur
Bigg Boss 10 fame Antara Biswas, who is better known by her stage name Monalisa, in on a roll. She is playing the titular role in the Star Plus show, Nazar.
The latest among the new crop of shows, Nazar, is a supernatural thriller that narrates the mystery and horror tales of a dayan (witch) essayed by Monalisa. It makes for a big break for this Bhojpuri actress.
“I am thrilled to be a part of this show. It is my first show on TV and it’s like a dream come true. As an artiste, I have always wanted to do something different, bring variations to my roles on screen and Nazar has proved the perfect platform,” says a happy Monalisa. She claims it is an engrossing show wherein, as the antagonist, she will be seen with unusual long braid that contains her powers and feet facing backward with long nails. “There have been many films on witches but it’s the first time on TV and this is about a modern-day dayan. I’ve heard quite a few stories on the existence of witches, evil eye and supernatural powers as a child and now I get to play this fascinating character myself.”
While she is enthralled about the show, Monalisa says the turning point in her career has been Bigg Boss. “I’ve done over 125 Bhojpuri films but that’s a regional industry. It is during and after Bigg Boss that I got nationwide recognition. Right after that I did Nach Baliye and a web-series. Many doors opened for me. People recognise me now and with Nazar, hopefully, my journey towards Bollywood will also start.”
It is inside the Bigg Boss house that she got married to her long-time beau Vikrant Singh Rajpoot, which was aired on national TV, and this actress is enjoying the nuptial bliss. “I used to cry in the initial days of Bigg Boss to be out of that house but it has given me so much. Had I known how it would change my life, I would have stayed there happily for as long as I could,” she says smilingly.
About the difference of working in films and TV, Monalisa says, “Regional films have a budget constraint but this show, I feel, is no less than a Bollywood film. It has everything well planned.” Future is not certain, no matter how successful you are and in this case, “We actors have no certainty or stability. Even when you have done many hits, there is always this anxiety of whether there will be work after the one at hand,” Monalisa shares.
