My father gave me tips on how to conduct an interrogation: Sakshi Tanwar on turning cop in '24' season 2

She became the television icon as Parvati Aggarwal of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. She was an ideal bahu, a loving wife and an affectionate mother whose sole aim was to keep her family together. Next, she reigned the tube as Priya Sharma in Bade Acche Laggte Hai, that started as a mature romance, and eventually became a family saga. Now Parvati nee Priya metamorphosises into Shibani Malik, a tough cop, the head of an Anti Terrorist Unit, no less, in the second season of 24. And this time, as Sakshi Tanwar says, her character is not just protecting her family, but also the nation at large. In fact, it’s her father, Rajendra Singh Tanwar, a reitred IB officer, who trained her for the role. In this free-wheeling chat, the actress, who has the knack of reinventing herself, talks about the most challenging role of her career so far, and experience of working with Anil Kapoor. We know she will also be seen in Dangal this year opposite the superstar Aamir Khan, but that we will keep for another day. Over to Sakshi...

Viewers are used to seeing you as Parvati and Priya. How will they react to you as an ATU head?
As actors, it’s important for us to explore different avenues that challenges our skill set and makes us appreciate the art more. That’s what 24 has made me do. So far, the feedback that I have got from the viewers after seeing the trailer, has been positive and encouraging.

What was your first thought when you got the offer for 24?
I was very happy that the makers thought of me for the role of the ATU head. In an industry where casting happens mainly on the basis of stereotypes, this was a welcome change. Their faith in me as an actor was very reassuring.

Tell us about your character.
My character Shibani Mallik is not only a strong and determined woman, but also a single mother raising a special child. This time my character is not just protecting her family, but also protecting the nation at large in the time of crisis.

Would you say this has been the most challenging role of your career so far?
Every role is challenging in its own way. I have been fortunate to get strong women characters. This time too I play a strong character, that of a hard cop holding her own in a male-dominated arena. At the same time, she is a soft and nurturing mother who adores her child. It is a layered character, which is its USP. In that sense it’s a stark contrast to whatever I have done so far. Also, I had to unlearn a lot of things while playing the role. I am inherently an extremely emotional person and feel I must share it with my audience. There would be times when I would say a line emotionally and the director and even my co-actors would tell me that I was the ATU head (I had to be tougher)! In that sense it was a great exercise.

Did you undergo any training for the role?
Unknown to many, my father is actually a retired IB officer. He is the most dedicated, sincere and righteous officer that I know. He has even got a President’s Police Medal for exemplary services. He is my hero and this role gave me a chance to experience his life even if only for a television show. When 24 was offered to me, he was a lot more excited than I was. We would engage in long conversations about the traits that an ATU head with the responsibility to protect the nation should display. He gave me tips on how to conduct an interrogation also.

How is Anil Kapoor to work with?
He’s a warm, humble person and working with him has been a great experience. The energy and enthusiasm that he exudes is a class apart. He would always give suggestions to understand and enact the scenes better. On the very first day, before the shoot he sat with me and we had a discussion about the character. Anil shared with me his experience and his co-stars experiences about using your strength as an actor. How to change your weaknesses into your strength. It was very important at that point of time. He told me ‘You have a soft face and soft voice. Use it to your advantage for this character even though it is of a tough woman. Otherwise it could be your weak point’. During the shoot also, he keeps discussing, giving inputs and suggestions — ‘aisa karlo’ or you can say it differently. He is completely involved in every character.

You are one TV actress who has not only sustained in the industry for so long, but are at the top-of-your game? How do you keep re-inventing yourself?
On television, characters are more important than the actors playing them. People get connected with the characters. Since I have always played strong characters I was careful not to repeat myself and did not take up projects back-to-back. I took a break after Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii for nearly two-and-a-half years and did a Balika Vadhu. It’is been two years since Bade Acche Laggte Hai got over and now I am doing a 24. This way the viewers get a visual break and I get the time to unwind, unlearn and start afresh.

What prompted you to play the negative character Nabila in the Marathi film Katyar Kaljaat Ghusli?
The producer Nikhil Sane and director Subodh Bhave came to meet me, but were apprehensive whether I would say yes to it because it was a negative character. They told me in a line that my character is the reason for the entire equation changing between Sachinji (Pilgaonkar) and Shankar Mahadevan in the movie. I immediately said yes. They were taken aback, but I told them I get to play a totally different shade. A lot of people think naa bol degi and they don’t approach. I was glad they did and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. The response was overwhelming and humbling.