Exclusive – Sayantani Ghosh on working with Naagin 4 girls Nia Sharma and Jasmin Bhasin: They don’t act like ‘we know it all’

Sayantani Ghosh was seen simultaneously in two shows Sanjivani 2 and Naagin 4. While in one she was playing the role of Dr. Anjali, in the fantasy thriller show, she played the role of a shape-shifting snake woman Manyata. Sanjivani 2 went off-air in March and her role in Naagin 4 also wrapped up soon. However, Sayantani shared a great bond with her co-stars in both the shows. In a live chat with ETimes TV, she speaks about her bond with Nia Sharma, Jasmin Bhasin, Anita Hassanandani, Surbhi Chandna, Mohnish Bahl and Rohit Roy. (By: Sukarna Mondal)

I shot maximum scenes with Jasmin (Nayantara) and then Nia (Brinda). By the time I got to work with Anita, my role kind of wrapped up. Anita and I have known each other. We have been in the industry together. She is a sweetheart. With some people you might not be in touch on a regular basis but when you connect, you pick it up from where you have left. Anita (Vishakha) is gorgeous. Everytime I look at her, she is so stylish. I am in awe of her.

Nia and Jasmin, I got to work with them for the first time because of Naagin 4. They are names themselves and have a huge fan following. They have been so kind towards me. Once I posed a dance video on social media and Nia wrote some encouraging words for me. Jasmin and I also share an amazing bond. They are quite established and they don’t act like ‘we know it all’. They are quite receptive. That’s the best part. I had a great time working with Nia and Jasmin.

I began the journey with Jasmin and ended with Nia. At times you don’t need much time to form a bond. It’s just instant. It was a mutual admiration club and also a lot of respect for each other. There is so much to learn from Jasmin. She is a bindaas girl and likes to live in the moment, be happy and not think a lot. I would tell her to teach me how to be such bindaas as I am an over-thinker.

Nia is very confident and knows what she is doing. There is always so much to learn from each other. I remember once we had to shoot a ‘taandav’ sequence and Nia had already done one solo ‘taandav’ before me. So, Nia was worried about our performance together. I told her that we would be fine. But still she came for a rehearsal and I was motivated by her. So even after our pack up (after 12 hrs of shoot) we were rehearsing till late night. And next day it went great.

Surbhi is one of the most super-energetic people I have ever met. With her on sets, there will be no dull moment. She is like Basanti and lifts up the mood just like that. She has the vibrant energy around her. I knew who is Surbhi Chandna, she has a huge fan following after Ishqbaaz. So, you may think that the person might come up with this air ‘I am Anika’. But she is so down to earth. We have nicknamed each other. She calls me Puch and I call her Puchki. She is also very well-mannered and respects people. She would address Mohnishji and Rohit as ‘Sir’. Even on our first creative meeting, she called me ‘Ma’am’. I told her to call me by my name. That’s the amazing part about her. She is a great talent and we are fond of each other.

My character of Dr. Anjali in Sanjivani 2 was quite complex. She was not a villain and her major struggle was with her dad (Dr. Shashank played by Mohnish Bahl). She always felt very neglected. Her entire existence was this validation from her father. And that was one of the key elements. Personally, Mohnishji is a stalwart in the industry. I was so amazed and mesmerised with his performance. But never felt he is a big star, he was always up for rehearsals. It was a great learning experience.

Rohit and I have been a part of the industry for quite long. And both of us being Bengalis, we start talking in Bangla. With Rohit there was a great comfort. He always has the betterment of scenes in mind and also open to suggestions from co-stars. Initially, we didn’t know that we would be paired up. But people liked the silent energy between us.