Actress Debattama Saha, who is currently seen playing the lead character Anokhi in the TV show Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani, is very different in real life from her onscreen character. This Bengali TV actress, who had made her Hindi TV debut with Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani, says, “I love the way Anokhi fights to fulfill her ambitions in life. But am I like that in real life? No, I am quite different. I am bubbly, enjoy talking to people and I’m full of life. Even if I have to raise my voice against something, I would have a different approach. Of course I don’t feel Anokhi is wrong in any way.”
Describing her journey from the small town of Silchar, Assam to Kolkata and then Mumbai, Debattama shares how the story of her TV show is coincidentally the story of her life. She said, “I am born and brought up in a small town Silchar, Assam and no one in my hometown can even dream of becoming an actress. If someone gets a degree in engineering or becomes a doctor, it’s a considered very big. I was inclined towards singing and acting since childhood and my mother used to secretly let me train under professionals. My father did not like the idea of my pursuing acting, so we never told him. Then, after great pursuing and hard work, I moved to Kolkata to study. I have finished my BA Hons and bagged a Bengali TV show. Just like Anokhi is proud to show her trophy to her dad, who is against her wish to study further, similarly, I was always hoping to show my trophies to my dad and make him proud. Just like Anokhi runs away from Kapurthala, I went to Kolkata and then later I moved to Mumbai 3-4 years ago. When I came here, culturally I was shocked because people happily moved around and had relationships.”
She added, “I used to write a little diary since childhood how I wanted to be an actress and I was so scared that I did not even write the full word ‘actress’ in my diary. But, after many years of hard work, I finally landed my first show Isharon Isharon Mein two years back. And then the pandemic struck in 2020. I kept giving auditions but I was not sure if I will get more work due to the situation. When there was no hope left, I called my parents last year that I would like to pack my bags and come back to Silchar. I was all set to go back when I got a call from the makers of Shaurya Aur Anokhi. When I heard the script, I cried and cried because it is the story of my life.”
Debattama’s chemistry with her co-actor Karanvir Sharma has been appreciated. The actress says, “Karanvir and I are great friends. So, it was easy doing romantic scenes with him. There is no awkward feeling because we discuss our scenes and it is easy enacting them. In fact, we are constantly cracking jokes on each other and his friendship is an asset for my work, too.”
While Debattama is seen wearing Indian outfits on the show, one always sees her in western outfits on her instagram account. Ask her if the pressure to have a good presence on social media is high and she says, “Our profession is such that we are competing in various things. Therefore, social media is an added responsibility and people need to know our different sides. They know me as Anokhi from the show, but my social media should give people a glimpse of what more I am capable of. Also, I love dancing and so you see a lot of it on my social media.”
There are talks doing the rounds that the show will wrap up on July 24. Debattama shares that she is not aware of any such development but it will be a shock for her. She says, “The show has a great script and if it wraps up this month, I will be very sad. Anokhi is extremely close to me and I have lived Anokhi for so many months with great dedication. If the show wraps up, I will be very sad.”
She added, “The show has the potential to extend for many more months. My role will continue to entertain audiences.”
