Nyra Banerjee: Don’t want to do saas-bahu type of roles

Actor Nyra Banerjee, who is currently part of the series Hello Jee, has also been seen in many TV shows such as Divya Drishti and Excuse Me Madaam. The actor says that the shows mean a lot to her and have added a lot of value to her career.

You have done Divya Drishti and Excuse Me Madaam. How has the tv experience been?

Divya Drishti has given me so much love and popularity, in excuse me madam people have loved me, Hello Jee is booming now and people are loving it and are waiting for the second season to happen. My TV experiences have been amazing too, except for the long schedules of 15 hours. TV reaches out to each and every person and everybody is seeing your face. You get instant popularity and also money. Those people who are very focused on earning every day and not really waiting for an opportunity like something on OTT film or series or maybe a theatrical film, for them, TV is the best way to get that stability and popularity at the same time. I made my debut with Divya Dhrishti, which is an amazing show. It connected with the younger generation and I have become a fashion icon for everybody they look up to. This has given me so much love and appreciation,” she says.

You tried your hand at comedy for the first time. How was the experience?

I thought comedy is different and it is, in fact, about knowing yourself as an actor and getting that proper timing. Working in the comedy genre was an amazing experience. I think I would like to do comedy again and I think I do it well.

The show went off air abruptly. Did that affect you?

It did not affect me much, what affected me was that I blocked for 30 days and I could not take up any other web series which was coming my way. I had about three more offers which I could not get. In fact, even on the show, I was not shooting for all 30 days. I was shooting for only 15 days and that affected me. Nevertheless, I got Hello Jee exactly after that and I am sure I will be fetching more amazing offers. God is kind.

The show had its own fun and unique elements. What do you think did not work for the show?

I always felt that it did not reach the masses which it could have. Promotion is very important for reaching out to the masses. Otherwise, there are so many new channels, so many new shows being launched every second day, something new is coming up, it’s a busy industry. People still ask me why did it stop!

What kind of TV work are you open for now?

I really want to have TV shows which have elements like fantasy, women empowerment, it could be anything to do with the government or even a thriller. I don’t really like these domestic saas-bahu types of shows. I am a very open-minded person and I appreciate open-minded people around me. I am a very domestic person, you won’t find me roaming here and there and attending multiple parties. I am not a social butterfly. I would like to do something which broadened my horizons and mentality, something like a dance show or an action show or something like Divya Drishti.

The work scenario has changed do you feel? Are you open for negative leads? If yes why if no why?
I feel that this industry stereotypes you instantly and this is why I won’t want to do negative roles so soon. I was offered the negative lead in Naagin but I was not very sure of doing that because it did not connect with my heart. Every story that I have picked in my life has connected with my heart. I want to do something more positive and empowering.