The one of popular TV serial ‘Honar Sunn Mee Hya Gharchi’ had suddenly shifted in the last few weeks on the shoulders of Sharayu, the character played by Leena Bhagwat. Incidentally, Leena plays so called Chhoti Aai of Shree, (the lead hero of this serial). Not all with such character roles are able to create an impact on the audience through their performance. But, Leena has been lucky to find such a role, which has not only popularised among the audience, but it has also been able to gain sympathy in the recent past. Initially, Leena through Sarayu’s character generated a lot of humour, through this serial, with her forgetful nature; but later succeeded in displaying her emotions well; to invite all the attention to her own story.

Last year, we saw her playing a humour filled family member of Ghana in ‘Eka Lagnachi Doosari Goshta’ and before that her powerful character of Shalini as a tenant in Agnihotri’s house, had received lot of appreciation. But, Leena is not new to the filed of acting. She had started performing in experimental theatre, way back in 1991, while she was still in college. Through Experimental plays like ‘Hach Khel Udya Pudhe’, she soon got into professional play ‘Moru Chi Maushi’ and also performed with Pradeep Patwardhan, in one of the popular programmes of Sahyadri channel- ‘Awaad Aaapli Aapli’. Leena came into reckoning, through these performances and was offered a role by Amol Palekar in his film ‘Kairee’, which turned out to be debut film for Leena. Later, Leena did perform in films like ‘Doh’, ‘Dhudgus’, ‘Pach Naar Ek Bejaar'; but as a TV actress, she has gained more popularity till date.

Having started her acting career through stage, Leena still finds time for stage and is at present performing in Malvani comedy ‘Pandgo Ilo Re Ba Ilo’. She is also considering a proposal from a new Marathi play. In the meanwhile, Leena has recently won an award from Zee Gaurav, for her performance in the film ‘Avatarachi Goshta’, which is yet to release. In this film, Leena plays the mother of a small child, around whom the story of this film revolves. MarathiMovieWorld spoke to Leena Bhagwat, to know more about her profession and she was kind enough to discuss about herself. Excerpts from an interview:

Q: You came into the field of acting by chance or you really struggled to find suitable roles ?
A: I was interested in acting since my college days. Initially, I started through experimental plays. I still remember the days, when I used to ask for concessions during my rehearsals, to adjust my college schedule. But, I managed it well. I wouldn’t call it struggle; but it was hard work and sincerity in this acting profession. Not all are lucky to find the roles of their choice. But, I consider myself lucky, as I found all those roles, which were to my satisfaction.

Q: Two years ago, you performed in popular TV serial ‘Agnihotra’, which is now being shown in repeat run during afternoon time. Tell us something about the character of Shalini, played by you.
A: When Mr. Ranga Godbole explained to me about my role, he made it very clear that my character did not belong to Agnihotri family. But, he said that it was an important character. I trusted him and as the shooting progressed, I realised the importance of Shalini in the script. Both Abhay Paranjape as a writer and Mr. Godbole as a director had shaped it so well, that I had the privilege of interacting with most of the important characters in this serial.

Q: Now, when you are playing the character of Sharayu in ‘Honar Sunn Mee Hya Gharchi’, what difference you notice in the characters of Shalini and Sharayu ?
A: Shalini in ‘Agnihotra’ did not belong to the family; yet, she was a responsible person in the script. When Mandar Deosthali explained to me about the role of Sharayu in ‘Honar Sunn Mee Hya Gharchi’, I knew that I had to present not only a humour filled absent minded character, but also display my emotions, at a later stage. As Leena Bhagwat, I would say, as an actress “I gained a lot from Sharayu’s character”. It is such a wonderful role.

Q: Are you happy with your television image?
A: I feel that whatever roles have come to me on television, they have given me a lot of satisfaction. But, I am also doing films and stage. Recently, I was awarded Zee Gaurav Puraskar for my performance in the film ‘Avatarachi Goshta’, which is yet to release. I am also doing a play ‘Pandgo Ilo Re Ba Ilo’. So, I am busy with all three mediums of acting. It’s not only television please.