Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
After Bhojpuri films, Monalisa now eyes big role on small screen
After having acted in around 125 Bhojpuri films, actor Monalisa is now repositioning her career on small screen post her stint in popular reality show Bigg Boss.
“It’s a natural progression I wanted to take after participating in biggest reality show. I did a dance show, guest appearances in comedy shows, cameo in a daily soap so now playing a lead is the best way to grow,” she says on her visit to Lucknow.
The actor has also done a dance number in Ravi Kishan starrer Hindi film that was shot last year in the state capital. “I am getting a lot of offers from Bhojpuri and Hindi films. But right now, I want to establish myself as TV actor followed by Bollywood films,” says the actor whose real name is Antara Biswas.
She is quite excited about her upcoming TV show Nazar where she plays a supernatural character.
“It is about a pretty girl who lives a normal life in society. But, in reality she is a ‘daayan’ (witch) and by the time people come to know about her she does all the harm that a negative energy can do,” she says. Monalisa is all delighted about her role.
“I have done many positive characters. But, I always wanted to do a negative character because I feel an artist should be versatile. Luckily, this role came to me. I wanted to do a ‘khatarnak’ character as in a negative role where I can show variations and different shades,” she says.
The actor says she believes in energies which may be in the form of good or bad.
“Once while shooting at a haveli near Bharuch (Gujarat) I felt the presence of some energy. Later, I was told that it was a haunted place but personally I feel that it was not a negative energy but something was there for sure,” she recalls. On the trend of supernatural shows on TV she says, “Yes, there are too many shows in this genre these days but ours is different. We all believe in ‘buri nazar’ and daayan. But, beauty of the show is that this is set in a very contemporary setting. So, the thrills and supernatural incidents will be very realistic and gripping,” she says.
Post her stint in reality show she has turned health conscious and started a fitness regime.
“I had put on a lot of weight before I entered Bigg Boss. My fitness journey began inside the house where I stayed for 98 days. I have reduced 10 kgs till now and am looking forward to shed 4-5 kgs more. Initially, I had hit gym but now I do core strengthening exercises at home and mainly yoga so I lose weight naturally with grace,” she says.
Monalisa has post BB-10 done Nach Baliye, Comdey Dangal and celebrity guest appearances at Comedy Night Bachao and Drama Company besides a cameo in Nimki Mukhiya. She has also done a Bangla web series.