SONY SAB TV: TORAL RASPUTRA

For any actor, be it television or movies the real mark of success is when people start identifying them as the character they play on screen instead of their real name. Toral Rasputra is among them. She plays the role of Vinta  in Sony SAB’s  new mythological epic Dharm Yoddha Garud.  The multi talented actor talks to us about the show and more…

1. How does it feel to be associated with Sony SAB?
This is my first association with Sony SAB and I am very much looking forward to working with Sony SAB because it is in the light hearted entertainment space and is known for their feel good content. Generally, I prefer doing comedy shows but this time, for a change, I am doing a mythological show and I'm so excited about that. On the cast, they are some really great people to work with and I am sure it's going to be a very good experience.
 2. Mythology as a concept continues to be prevalent in Indian TV space, how is Garud different?
Dharm Yoddha Garud is going to be very different because I think for the first time we are coming up with such a concept on Indian Television. For starters, Garud’s story is quite unknown and unconventional. We are going to showcase a very unique mother-son relationship and it is very different from mainstream plots. We have used state of the art technology in the making of Garud and adding all the elements together, it will be a grand show, something the audience has never seen before.
 3. Say something about your character. What do you like most about getting to play your character?
Vinta is essentially a very pure hearted, loving, caring and overall a very calm person. Despite everything, she has a very positive attitude about life and is an ardent worshiper of Lord Vishnu. She takes care of people and Garud is the best thing that has happened in her life. Their bond is exemplary because even though Garud cannot comprehend why his mother is in tears always, he looks after her. Even Garud realizes that his mother is in bondage, he goes out of his way to save her because that is what Vinta has inculcated in him through her teachings. She guides him on his journey, gives him all the knowledge about the universe and most importantly she teaches him to be respectful towards the elders and be a good person above all.
Playing such a nice, pure character is definitely a pleasure and how Vinta helps Garud through his journey is something that really fascinated me. She is indeed very admirable and I'm very happy that I get to portray her.
 4. What kind of preparations did you go through to study and understand the character?
Even though we have been brought up watching mythological shows, while performing there are a few challenges, for example the language and the diction. Having been born and brought up in Mumbai, I have been exposed to mixed languages but to ace this role, I had to learn to speak in pure Hindi. I like to prepare my scenes a day prior so that I have enough time to prepare for my role because I want to look as authentic and natural as possible. I have surrendered myself as an actor to our director because I have worked with Mukesh before and I trust him completely. He guides me through the scenes, and I follow him. Otherwise, I have been reading extensively about Vinta to get a more in depth understanding of her. The secret is that if you do something from your heart and put in your best effort, it shows and that’s what I believe in.
 5. What makes your character stand out?
Vinta stands out because she is a woman of her words, and she has a very clean soul. She has never done anything wrong and does not have vice in her. She loves her son, and even though she is subjugated by her own sister, Kadru; whom she loved so much, she doesn’t disclose the fact that she is her slave. Her life is not easy, but she teaches Garud all the right values which play a very important role in the development of his nature.
 6. How does your character contribute to the development of Garud’s character?
When Garud realizes that his mother is being enslaved by her own sister, despite being a queen herself, it gets him very emotional. He cannot comprehend what is happening and why and he keeps questioning her about why she stays in the hut instead of her palace and why she allows Kadru to mistreat her. He is very curious and wants to know everything about her past. Despite everything, she pushes him in the right direction saying that whatever is happening with her is her own destiny and one should always choose to be virtuous even when the times are really tough. These strong teachings make him very determined and focused. She passes on her integrity, purity and kind heartedness to her son and that is where Garud got all his good values from.
 7. What do you want to communicate through your character?
Vinta symbolizes motherly affection. I am not a mother in real life but this is really the truest form of love and affection and it reflects through the story of Vinta and Garud. There is a lot of pain in her life and she does feel guilty about not telling the truth about her past to Garud but she wants to protect him from the evil eyes of Kadru and she also does not want Garud to share the same fate of subjugation and humiliation as her. Garud also loves his mother the most and he becomes her supreme protector. This feeling of unconditional love is what we want to communicate through Vinta’s character and it is also the foundation for the show.
 8. How excited are you to work with the huge cast on the show?
I am very excited to work with these people. They are phenomenal actors and really fun to work with. Faisal is a really outstanding actor and we gel really well onscreen and offscreen. We have Parul on-board with us and even though I met her for the first time a few days back, I can say she is a wonderful person to begin with. We bond really well offscreen even though her character Kadru is not at all fond of Vinta. I have also started shooting with Ankit and Angad a few days back and overall it is always fun working with such positive people around.
 9. The show is heavy on VFX and how has the entire shooting experience been like?
The show has been wonderfully conceptualized and we are using live tracking which has never been used before on Indian television. It was difficult to get used to it and initially I did not understand what was going on and I kept on asking questions. Finally, when the team showed me how it is done I was awestruck as we are actually shooting on the Chroma floor, but it feels like we are shooting on different locations. This is a major point of difference between Dharm Yoddha Garud and other mainstream mythological shows. Look-wise too, it looks very grand. I am in love with Garud’s wings because it looks so good onscreen and even though it is extremely heavy, it looks so nice when it is open. It is definitely the USP of the show. Visually, the show has a lot to offer. Even the kids will be very entertained and enthralled as it has that wow factor to it.
 10. Any message for your fans/audience?
I want to express my gratitude and thank everyone because they have accepted me in each and every role and I hope they support me as I set to play Vinta. I hope the audience likes our effort and watches our show.
11. How does it feel when you receive appreciation from the viewers for your performance?
I am glad that people are liking my work and they want to see me in different characters.
12. Out of so many roles that you have performed as an actor, which one is your favourite and why?
I feel a deep connect with my new character Vinta. There is something about this character which makes identify with her. I can feel her pain.
13. What type of role do you see yourself playing in the future?
When I started my career at the age of 21, I was a part of the show Dhoom Machaao Dhoom, which catered to my age group. Over the years, I have learnt a lot and grown as an actress, and I am grateful for that. When I look back at my journey as an actor, I have no regrets and I am happy with my career today.
14. What is your favorite food?
Punjabi food is my favorite. I am crazy for Indian dishes. Paneer Bhurji is my favorite dish. My cheat meals are pizzas, chocolates and icecream.
15. Does a good physique always bag an actor a  role?
I think talent is the most important. It is essential to be healthy in body and mind.
16. Today we see many actors opting to singing, would you ever sing?
I am interested in dancing. I would like to be a part of a dance show.
17. How difficult it is to establish yourself in the film industry?
Hard work always pays. I define myself as a simple, introvert girl, whose priority is work and takes time to get along. You might have to wait or take a break to get something different and at the same time, you also want to grow as an actor... But now I am a little relaxed. I have more patience now.
18. What, according to you, is the mantra of success?
It's very simple. If I receive a good project I will give a positive nod to the offer, if I don't then I may go on a long vacation, travelling from here to there.