‘I don’t want to do shows that last over a year’

After the fifth season of her show Naagin ended in February 2021, it was over 18 months before Surbhi Chandna signed her next show. And even though the show, Sherdil Shergill, ended after a five-month run, Chandna is happy with the outcome. She admits she knew the “progressive story” was “new for TV” and planned for 100 episodes.

The actor, who played a mum in the show, is glad about the experience she gained. “Often, one might have apprehensions about playing a mum but as an actor, you have to keep experimenting, too. And that gave me a kick,” she explains.

The Ishqbaaaz actor was mentally prepared for the wrap-up and “totally enjoyed” filming for the show. “I don’t want to do shows that run too long as I want to grow as actor. Like my other show, Sanjivani, was a short stint, and I played a doctor for 9-10 months; Naagin 5 was for six months. Now that this show is behind me, I am ready to take on something new. Every actor has different wishes and I don’t want to do shows that last more than a year so that I can jump on to something different. Otherwise, how will I grow? For me to be happy, it is the story and the role that matter, not numbers and ratings.”

Chandna admits she has been a part of TV shows that have dragged on with a “wedding track or something” but she also strongly feels that others, like herself, should “also try to bring in change”.

“Today, people are into web shows and ours was like that but on TV. The story moved quickly. People loved the office romance and wanted it to continue but hamare limited episodes thhe, so humein pyaar, shaadi and message sab dikhana tha,” the 33-yearold explains.