She said, “Rajan had first shot the pilot of Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi with another actress in 1999. That actress then got into films, so he was on the lookout for a replacement for her. I had already started shooting for Sukanya at that time, but I still went for the audition. I managed to perform the scene that they wanted me to, but it was not convincing enough. Rajan was a first time director back then. I remember how he left my audition mid-way, but as aspiring actors we were used to rejections. After the audition I came outside and heard Rajan and his assistant talking about a double role. I went and enquired about it and he explained the story to me. I loved the story and just knew I had to be a part of it. I was so persistent for a second audition that I refused to leave till Rajan gave me another shot. I performed the first scene again and this time Rajan noticed me. He then gave me another scene to perform. I eventually ended up performing nine scenes, after which Rajan gave me a big smile. The next day I was actually selected for the role!”
Talking about the show, she further said, “Rajan made sure the first few episodes were shot perfectly. The sad part though was that Rajan left the show midway and the other directors and writers who came in after him were not as good storytellers as he was. The show went on well but the charm that Rajan had initially brought to it was not there. But DHKMN was and will always by most special debut on the small screen.”
