“I carry elements of both Pushpa and Basanti within me, which is why I believe this role was meant for me,” says Karuna Pandey as she plays a double role in Sony SAB’s ‘Pushpa Impossible’

Sony SAB's popular show Pushpa Impossible continues to captivate audiences with the inspiring journey of Pushpa (Karuna Pandey), a resilient and determined woman who faces life's challenges with courage and optimism. As the story takes an exciting new turn, her nemesis Viren (Hemant Kher) re-enters her life with a devious plan to create trouble. He introduces Pushpa’s lookalike named Basanti (Karuna Pandey), whose personality is distinctly opposite to that of Pushpa. While Pushpa is known for her strength and sincerity, Basanti has a boisterous, quirky, mischievous personality, setting the stage for an intriguing clash between the two characters.

In a candid conversation, Karuna Pandey shares her experience of playing dual characters -

Tell us about your double role Basanti.
Basanti looks like Pushpa and lives in a different part of the country but has a contrasting personality when compared to Pushpa. Unlike Pushpa, Basanti doesn't share the same morals because of the difficult life she has led. She’s tough, self-reliant, and acts without hesitation, she is shaped by the harshness of the world. Though she has her struggles, Basanti remains lively and entertaining, strong enough to bend but never break. Playing her has been equally challenging and interesting. 

Basanti is the stark opposite of Pushpa. How did you connect with her rough, no-nonsense attitude?
As Karuna, I feel I carry elements of both Pushpa and Basanti within me, which is why I believe this role was meant for me. I believe I have a mix of masculine and feminine energy, and it is all about balancing both sides. Basanti is rough and tough, and so sometimes, I tap into that side of myself. Those qualities exist in me, and they help me bring authenticity to the role I play.

How did you get into the skin of Basanti, considering her many quirks?
To truly get into the skin of Basanti, I focused on understanding her unique quirks and personality traits. Even though she is more rough and tough, Basanti is also vibrant, outspoken, and full of energy, so I had to bring that liveliness into every scene. I also worked on her speech patterns, tone, and expressions to make sure her eccentricities felt natural. Now, Basanti has become a part of me, and I can easily switch into her playful, spirited mode.

How do you disconnect from one character and get into the skin of the duplicate character?
As actors playing different characters is part of our daily job, and I have been doing it for many years. We practice switching between characters so much that it becomes second nature. Every character makes you feel different, and when you fully step into one role, you start feeling like that person. Then, when you play another character, you have to switch to another personality. It’s just part of the process. I’m not saying it’s easy, but you get used to it over time and comes with experience. Getting to portray a different character within the same show is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

Tell us about your new look as Basanti.
It’s a completely different look and is a departure from the usual saree look that I wear as Pushpa. Basanti sports suits and a shorter bindi. The other difference is that Pushpa ties her hair in a long braid, whereas Basanti wears a low bun. So, not just in terms of body language but also in terms of physical appearance, Basanti and Pushpa are very different from each other. I'm really happy with my look. 

How have your co-actors reacted to your new look? Any interesting anecdote?
I’ve had a scene with Bapodara and Sushila, and it went well because we found a different tuning. When you play a new character, everything changes—the dynamics with the other characters and how they react to you. Even though the scene was simple, it turned out great. My co-actors were happy with it, and everyone enjoyed the scene, which makes me happy as well.

How is the story going to progress going forward?
Basanti is going to bring a twist to the current track as a look-alike of Pushpa. This will lead to plenty of entertaining situations, misunderstandings, and confusion. Since she resembles Pushpa and will slowly get into her house too, many new twists are going to happen, and the situation will become quite tricky. I can't reveal too much right now, but yes, it’s going to be exciting!