Anjali Tatrari on her 1-year journey in Sony SAB’s ‘Vanshaj’

Sony SAB's ‘Vanshaj’ engages viewers with its interesting and relatable narrative that tackles gender roles and the intricate dynamics of inheritance, a world traditionally ruled by male heirs. This fuels intense conflict within the Mahajan family, sparking a fierce rivalry between Yuvika (Anjali Tatrari) and DJ (Mahir Pandhi). In the recent episodes of ‘Vanshaj,’ Yuvika's world crumbles as she is sentenced to prison for fraud. The Mahajans revel in her downfall, manipulating the system to ensure she is imprisoned under a ruthless jailor.

Anjali Tatrari has portrayed three different characters in her one-year journey on ‘Vanshaj’ each captivating the audience and her characters have undergone dramatic twists and turns. In a candid conversation, Anjali reflects on her journey over the past year.

1. How do you feel your character has evolved during this 1 year journey in Vanshaj?
It’s been one year since we started and there has been a significant improvement in my character. If we look at the start, my character used to be immature with no goals and aspirations but now she is much more mature and courageous. It has been a roller-coaster ride as I got to portray so many shades from romance to anger and revenge in just one year. I can proudly say that I have portrayed almost all the shades of my character and this serial has really helped me in my growth as an actor. There is still much more to come.

2. What challenges have you faced while portraying three different roles on the show - Yukti, Yuvika and Chinki and how did you overcome them?
Playing three characters simultaneously is a herculean task as I sometimes forget who am I playing in a particular scene and at times I mix the dialogues of Yuvika, Yukti and Chinki.  I use three different highlighters to mark each character's dialogue. It’s difficult but it is enticing as I am playing three completely different characters. Yuvika was a small town girl from Rishikesh while Yukti is very rich and classy and Chinki is very desi and negative. Playing a negative character is very challenging as there are so many shades of a negative character but it is an enriching experience as I have never played a negative character in my career. The fact that the audience is liking all my three characters is very motivating and it encourages me to deliver my best performance to entertain them.

3. Can you share any funny or interesting behind-the-scenes stories from the past year?
A few months before the shooting started, I went to Rishikesh with my mother and I had the best time of my life there. The place is so beautiful, so serene, and I prayed to Ganga Maa to call me to Rishikesh again. And it seemed like God had listened to my prayers as during the first 12-15 days of the show we had to shoot in Rishikesh near the hills. It was a lovely experience and I got to relive those beautiful moments.

4. What feedback have you received from fans about your role in "Vanshaj"?
I receive thousands of messages everyday from both men and women. The girls basically say that my character is an inspiration for them. Seeing that Yuvika has suffered so much in life but still she never gives up and fights back is what connects with the audience. Even some men have messaged me a couple of times saying they make sure their daughter watches Vanshaj. I think it is a general lesson for life as everybody has some or the other circumstances and life hardly goes according to your plans. It is up to us as individuals to not lose hope and fight back to get what we want. 

5. Are there any upcoming twists or developments in the show that you’re excited for the audience to see?
I can surely assure you that a major twist and turn is going to happen but I won’t spoil the thrill by revealing it now. There’s so much more coming to the show that will make you bite your nails. So stay tuned and keep watching Vanshaj.

6. Who do you share the best on-screen chemistry with?
It’s fun to shoot with all the actors as all of them are very good in their respective roles. I share a great bond with my on-screen rival Mahir who plays Digvijay Mahajan. Even though our characters are always at odds on-screen, we are very cordial off-screen and enjoy working and eating together. It’s great to have someone so supportive and understanding as a co-star.

7. What message do you want to relay to your fans on the completion of 1 year of Vanshaj?
Firstly, I want to thank them for the love and support they have given to the show. Whenever I go people recognize me as Yuvika and it’s enlightening to see that the audience is liking our performances. When we first started no one thought we would get so much love. So I would like to thank the audience and request them to keep watching the show as many more twists and turns are yet to come that will surely keep them on the edge of their seats.