What a wonderful start to my journey

Pratibha Ranta is living her dream. The 23-year-old actor, who made her film debut with the super-hit Laapata Ladies, followed by her series debut in the hit Heermandi, is basking in the success of her newfound stardom. “I am finally getting to meet the people I admire and hope to work with someday,” she says.

But even with the two successful projects and her TV show Qurbaan Hua, Pratibha feels she has far from arrived.

“I feel so blessed and grateful that things have turned out so beautifully. But I don’t think I have arrived; I am just thankful for this wonderful start to my journey. There’s a long road ahead of me,” she says.

Both Laapata Ladies and Heeramandi brought several new faces like Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Srivastava and Taaha Shah into the limelight.

So, when did Pratibha first feel she could well become famous?

“I genuinely feel appreciated when my friends send me fan edits. It’s an endorsement that the audience and public at large have accepted you. They want to see more of you and know about you as well,” she says with a laugh.

She feels this is a golden period for actors as well as aspiring actors like her, as the industry has become far more diverse and inclusive. “Young actors like me are getting opportunities. It is a sparkling time, and all we need to do is grab whatever is coming our way,” she says.

Though it is not easy to navigate the hyper-competitive film industry, Pratibha says she feels motivated by some significant changes. For instance, she’s pleased that when she goes for auditions, her photograph is no longer nameless. Her name is now included, and listed for casting. “Laapata Ladies and Heeramandi have opened doors and opportunities for me. I have seen changes in the kind of scripts coming my way, the work I am being offered and the people I’m getting to meet. Even the audition process, with my name being tagged for casting, suggests that the team may have discussed me and thought about me. These changes are very motivating, and seeing your name on the credits is very encouraging.”

Pratibha says her characters in both Laapata Ladies and Heeramandi were determined young women. Jaya in the former aspires to be an organic farmer, but is married against her wishes and Shama is the object of her courtesan mother’s envy in Heeramandi. As an actor, her brief was to articulate the intent of these women to the audience.

“I hold Jaya very close to my heart and am eternally obliged to Kiran Rao ma’am for giving her to me. Jaya will be my all-time favourite character because she gave me so much as a performer. I tried to understand where she was coming from, and what drove her to want to pursue agriculture. Kudos to Kiran ma’am for creating the world she did. Shama, on the other hand, was complex and very obstinate. She knew what she wanted, and if she didn’t get it the right way, then she devised other ways to do so. I wanted to understand what enchanted her about the world of the courtesans,” says Pratibha.

Expressing her awe of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Pratibha says “Sanjay sir has created masterpieces and I have always wanted to work with him. There was so much to learn, and he has a unique way of imagining his cinematic world.”

With Heeramandi 2 being announced recently, there is excitement among the star cast. Pratibha hopes she’ll be part of it. As of now I have no idea,” she says honestly. “But I’m anticipating something exciting.”

Meanwhile, the actor, who is currently busy with a flurry of meetings promises an exciting announcement soon.