Interview with Actress Esha Kansara

Esha Kansara is one of the noted actresses in the Hindi & Gujarati entertainment industry. The actress is quite active on Instagram.

She is seen sharing updates about her new work every now and then. When asked, what kept her motivated during tough times, she says, “I am probably the biggest believer in the power of a positive mind-set.

Looking at life with an optimistic outlook isn’t always the easiest thing to do for everyone but we can keep trying to be positive & motivated through various activities.

In this entire lockdown phase, I have maintained one motto – Have a positive outlook towards life.”

Please tell us something about your upcoming show on Star Plus?

Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana is a story about people and their emotions and the interpersonal relationships in a family that we face on a day-to-day basis.

It’s a show full of positivity and love where every member that enters the Sakhuja family comes with a different perspective but is still welcomed with open arms. We make sure that even a stranger feels at home.

What were the new things that you discovered about yourself as an artist while working on this show?

I never knew that I would have so many emotions inside me regarding love, being pregnant and being mature.

I have always been a happy go lucky/ go with the flow person but Amrita is all about maturity, calmness (Thehraav), and at the same time having an amiability inside of her has made me feel that I love my job even more since I discovered so many new emotions while acting for it.

Tell us something about your character / role in the show ‘ZMGA’?

Amrita is the most sought-after lady / bahu for an Indian television character. In my real life I would try to become like her for sure but it is tough.

Since Amrita is always optimistic about everything that comes her way. She only has one way to go forward, bringing a solution to every difficulty that she and her family faces with a smile on her face and sometimes accepting and adjusting to whatever the situation is.

Never a dull moment for her when she’s with the family but when she’s alone, she’s completely sober.

Did you take inspiration from anyone for this role?

No. I generally don’t take any inspiration for any of my roles. Every person/character is different and I believe that taking inspiration somewhere leads to copying.

So I just go with what my heart says. I put myself in the shoes of that character and try to act as natural and humanely as possible!

What makes this show different from other shows?

Indian Television is all about emotions. And this story not being so technical is only dependent on the emotions of the family members in the show.

It captures some hard-hitting realities that we face being in a joint family and the dialogues make you feel as if you always want to say them in your real life but restrain from doing so.

Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana will give a positively tinted glass to look at life to every person who’s watching it. Especially women!

What is your agenda for the remaining half of 2021?

Just focus on Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana, and make each day count since I love my job and my character in it and I will do everything possible to make this show the best one in my life. Looking out for a more healthier and happier rest of 2021.

How are you keeping yourself fit these days?

Daily soaps are hectic but there are no excuses to stay healthy while working and maintain and work-life balance.

So I wake up early, finish my morning routine and go for a half an hour run or do my online workout so that my day starts with a bang! Mentally and physically!

And I carry home-cooked meals everyday so that my food habits stay under control! I sometimes keep walking on the set whenever I’m free to watch my step count.

Did you face any challenges while essaying this role?

Yes, as seen in the promo, I’m pregnant! So being pregnant on screen gives you a lot of opportunities to explore the motherly side of your nature.

And emotions of a pregnant lady are different than a normal lady. At my age and this career stage in my life it has always been tough to think about settling down or having a baby.

So to think from Amrita’s perspective was a little difficult in the beginning but now I think I’ve aced it with the help of Zama Sir and Rahib sir. My Producer and the Director!

Tell us about the bond you share with your co-star Hasan?

We clicked right on the first day on set. We bonded about our health routines, workouts, good food, sharing ideas for creating our own make-up rooms etc., and the moment we shot our first scene where we don’t even share the same frame, we still connected and got some really good compliments.

He’s fun and he’s a learned actor so I’m looking forward to doing some more intense scenes with him.

Did you always want to be an actress?

Post my 10th grade, yes! My mom always loved watching TV shows and she never used to make me watch them since I had my board exams, but later while doing theater in school I realized that I wanted to act for TV.

Didn't know much about the mediums for acting but since I wanted to impress my mom I went ahead looking for auditions for TV.

What else do you see yourself doing next?

I really want to try for web shows someday. I like working for long-format shows and seasons. It makes me more connected to a character that I like perfecting.

Also, I want to do offbeat films that are more content oriented and focus on becoming the best version of me as an actor.

Do you believe in destiny as the show goes out to inspires viewers to believe in destiny?

Yes I do. But I look at it as a hope in the future and not something to blame. If something good happens it’s your hard work+ destiny and if something bad happens even after giving your 100% then I would like to believe that whatever happens, happens for good.

Also I believe in karma more than destiny. Do everything with the best of your intention and destiny will follow you too.

What is it like shooting for your show in the midst of this new normal?

Everything is changed. The way we meet each other, the way we shoot, the way we spend time with each other on set.

We don’t greet each other with a hug anymore but just a Namaste or fist bumps. Lunches and dinners on set with the whole team only happen when it’s an occasion.

We don’t share food that much. We maintain social distancing basically and only touch each other when it’s a scene or when it’s required.

How did you spend your time during the lockdown? What kept you motivated?

First lockdown in 2020 was quite a life-changing experience in a very positive way since I got to spend 3 months with my family in Ahmedabad at a stretch which doesn’t happen that often.

The second lockdown I was on my own and even though I live all alone if felt a bit different this time since I myself was COVID positive and had to quarks all by myself.

But luckily I have amazing caring people around me who helped overcome it and now I’m back with Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana with good health and a positive state of mind.

I am probably the biggest believer in the power of a positive mind-set. Looking at life with an optimistic outlook isn’t always the easiest thing to do for everyone but we can keep trying to be positive & motivated through various activities.

In this entire lockdown phase, I have maintained one motto – Have a positive outlook towards life.

Have you shoot any outdoor sequence for your show?

Not at all. We’re only shooting indoors and the Producers have created all the outdoor sets in the indoor in studio which is quite commendable. So we don’t need to go outside and also COVID hygiene is maintained with full capacity.