DNA Exclusive: Nehha Pendse reveals why she initially refused to play Anita Bhabhi in 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai!'

From playing Sanjana Hiteshi in 'May I Come In Madam?' to stepping into another iconic role on Indian television as Anita Bhabhi in the popular sitcom 'Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai!', actress Nehha Pendse is all geared up to entertain audiences with her new avatar. 

And ever since the news of Nehha replacing actress Saumya Tandon as the elegant and modern Anita Vibhuti Narayan Mishra came out in the media, the ex-Bigg Boss 12 star has been making headlines. 

So, in order to know how prepared Nehha is to step into the shoes of Saumya and essay the iconic role that the latter played for over five years before quitting in August 2020, and if she feels any pressure about the same, we spoke to Nehha in an exclusive tête-à-tête. 

On being asked how she takes this iconic role coming to her at a time when thousands are struggling to get work amid the pandemic, Nehha told DNA, "Very few people get an opportunity like this where they step from one iconic role to another. I feel blessed since a lot of people are not getting work opportunities. So, at a time like that when you get an opportunity that also matches your sensibility as an artist, I think one has to be truly blessed in times like that but, I have to say, I also feel the pressure of it all."

Speaking about the pressure of playing the iconic role, Nehha said, "With great opportunity also comes great responsibility and I have two ways so to say. One, it's an iconic show and second, Saumya was an iconic actor to give the character the kind of height that it has achieved. So, it's double the pressure but I think I am kind of ready to take care of this pressure and deliver what is expected out of me. Later, only time will tell whether I have truly delivered or not."

"I believe in the genre. I prefer situational comedy as a flavour of comedy. I do not prefer slapstick comedy where you are using your body, there are loud faces and loud dialogues. And, the beauty about this production is that the writers are writing comedy, the artists' acting is not a comedy," Nehha told DNA on being asked what made her say yes to the show. 

"You will not see actors jumping up and down, doing some really heavy moments and trying to make a very caricaturish comedy. So, that is what worked for me," she added. 

Nehha further said, " If you see Anita Bhabhi as a person, she is someone who is very dominating, opinionated, well-groomed, classy and a decent woman. So, I think all of these attributes I can relate to with myself and so I feel it becomes easier (to play the role) when you can relate to the character and the format," Nehha said. 

Towards the end of her interaction with DNA, Nehha disclosed that initially she wasn't strongly considered for the role and that she refused to take it up because of the fear of pandemic when asked if she wanted to do it. However, she added that things turned out differently after a few months and that she ended up bagging the role.

"Yes, there was a lot of fear of the pandemic. And it is absolutely correct that I wasn't strongly considered, I was asked if I would like to do something like that and I immediately brushed the issue aside saying 'it's in the middle of a pandemic, there is so much fear of the unknown, I don't think I want to consider working at all'." Nehha told DNA. 

"But then, after a couple of months, we had a better grip on the pandemic and luckily they still hadn't cast anyone and things just fell into place.," Nehha added. 

Asked if she is all prepared to work not he sets now, Neha said, " I won't deny...there is still a little scare. But, at least we know that medically we are equipped to handle things in case something goes wrong."