MUSBA HASHMI chats up SHIVYA PATHANIA about what made her choose Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush, preparations for the role and if she would like to be a part of a reality show

What prompted you to play Sita in Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush?

First, the character of course. We have seen so many versions of the Ramayana but never heard its story from Luv-Kush’s perspective. This was another reason that I chose to take up this project. Also mythology is a genre that will never become out dated. The audience loves to see the stories that represents our culture and history. As for the younger generations, they just know about the stories but not what it taught us. These shows are a wonderful medium to teach the younger generations about the values and our culture.

What research did you do for the role?

I didn’t do anything at all. I didn’t refer to any books neither I haven't seen any previously made series on Ramayana because I didn’t want to resemble anybody or portray the role like somebody else did before. We all know what the story is, it has been told since decades.

I wanted to showcase the less-told story which our narrators wanted to tell through the show.

How hard was it for you to carry off such heavy costumes?

My costume weighs 15 kilogram,  but I never feel the heaviness. I am not just playing the character, I am living it. And when you do something with utmost dedication and love you don’t feel any challenges in it, it becomes a part of you. I am wearing the costume from morning to evening, but I feel so comfortable that I don’t realise its weight. When I am shooting, I don’t even remove my jewellery, not even during the breaks.

How has your journey been thus far?

My journey started from a contest — Miss Shimla and I won it. Then I gave an audition for a show and fortunately I cleared it. I was called to Mumbai for a look test. Back then, I thought I am going to Mumbai for only a couple of days as I would not be able to clear the next round. I went there without much clothes, but the city had no plans of leaving me. I was selected for the show — Humsafars and since then there is no looking back. I have seen both ups and downs in my journey and have enjoyed being a part of this industry.

You have played a bahu and then went on playing a mythological character. Was it hard to do this transition?

I don’t know. I have never think about these transitions because at the end of the day it is all about doing good work. The only thing I would say that I have been lucky enough to have been getting such good projects. Be it Ek Rishta Saajhedaari Ka or RadhaKrishn or Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush, I have been fortunate to have got the opportunity to explore different genres and play such beautiful roles.

What kind of roles are you looking forward to?

My father tells me one thing ‘teri gaadi toh bhagwaan hi chala raha hai’ which means God is taking care of me. I don’t plan anything. I take up projects that come my way and I feel that they are good. Whatever God has in store for me, I know it will be for my good. I believe in going with the flow.

How is Shivya in real life?

I am an extrovert but there are times when I want to be aloof. I am friendly and believe in living in the present.  I want to enjoy each and every moment of my life without worrying about the future. I love reading books in my free time. I am person with a lot of feelings and emotions, whatever I feel I just speak it out.

What makes for the growing popularity of mythological shows?

It is the emotional connect. I wonder who doesn’t want to watch Ram and Sita? We all see ourselves in the story somewhere and of course it is our history so even if a show like this comes up and I am not a part of it I still would have watched it.

Any reality show that you would like to be a part of?

I have been asked to be a part of a couple of reality shows, but I don’t know if I would ever be a part of them or not. May be sometime in the future I will see, I am not sure at the moment. I just want to focus on Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush right now.