Exclusive: New 'Balika Vadhu' Toral fails to impress Pratyusha

Pratyusha Banerjee seems rejuvenated back from her Goa vacation, completely unaware of the tsunami she has caused among her fans.

Pratyusha, who portrayed the role of Anandi in Indian TV soap 'Balika Vadhu' has quit the popular show. It came as a rude shock not only to viewers, but also to her co-stars.

From a girl next door, Pratyusha went on to become the reigning queen of daily soaps and a darling to her fans.

When Emirates 24|7 informed her about the deluge of messages from fans and a petition to bring her back, Pratyusha exclaimed, "Really? I cannot believe this. The love and support I receive from the audience is so overwhelming."

Set in rural Rajasthan, 'Balika Vadhu' traces the arduous journey of child bride Anandi from the brink of childhood to womanhood.

Based on readers’ comments it is evident that they are apprehensive about her replacement Toral Rasputra and want Pratyusha back as Anandi.

Post Pratyusha's exit, viewers threatened to stop watching the show, demanding to bring her back, showing resentment towards replacement Toral Rasputra.

What more even Pratyusha feels Toral might have to go the extra mile to fit into her shoes.

“I have just seen one episode and I feel the [core] Anandi part is missing,” Pratyusha told Emirates 24|7.

She continued, “I am not being partial. But the character is close to everybody’s heart and whoever is playing it has to live it [the life of Anandi]. The character has to be very convincing.”

Anandi has many different shades to her character - that of a helpless girl married at a tender age, a woman separated from her husband, a daughter-in-law, a wife and a strong willed social worker.

Pratyusha opines that Anandi is a strong character with intrinsic nuances to it, and requires a lot of hard work to portray.

“When I used to do that role, one part of me was Anadi and one part of me was Pratyusha. It is such a strong character that you have to laugh with it, smile with it, cry with it. You have to understand the pain she goes through,” said Pratyusha.

“You can’t make it dramatic, you have to be very subtle and underplay it. You have to think that if I am Anandi, if this would happen with me then what,” she continued with equal drama in her voice as the character she played.

But she is sure that Toral will soon grasp the role and the situation to make it her own.

Pratyusha said, “For the past 3 years I have been doing this. So I am sure she will also get it soon.”

There have been speculations about her leaving the show at a highpoint.

Pratyusha clarifies, "There is no reason as such. It was a mutual discussion between me and my channel. The talks were on for a few months that I wanted to quit.

"Moreover, it was getting stressful. I couldn’t shoot for long hours as my mother was unwell and just had surgery. I can’t compromise with my mom’s health. It was a mutual decision with the channel to quit."

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