Actress Sonal Panvar, who plays the role of Malaika in Happu ki Ultan Paltan, says that the industry and the audience have evolved over the years. She adds that she loves the way her career graph has also adapted to these changes.
“I started my career in television by doing episodic shows. Then I worked on one full TV show, but after that, there was a gap where I didn’t do any TV projects for quite some time. During this period, I focused on web shows and films. Then the lockdown happened, which affected everything. If I count my career in television, it includes one year in the beginning and then the last three years working on Happu Ki Ulatan Paltan . So, it hasn’t been a very long journey, but I’m incredibly grateful that Happu Ki Ulatan Paltan happened,” she says.
She adds, “In the six years that I’ve been in the industry, I feel like I haven’t gained extensive experience yet. However, I’ve observed that today’s audience is very different. They want logical content; you can’t just show anything and expect them to accept it. You need to work really hard on your content to entertain today’s viewers because they understand everything—from filmography to scenes and direction. They are very aware and intelligent, which makes it both challenging and rewarding for creators. The focus now is more on good content rather than stardom. Viewers care less about star value or face value and more about the story and performances. They can easily recognize who is a good actor and who isn’t. This shift is both an advantage and a challenge.”
The actress says that the audience is very smart today. “Audiences today are very smart—you can’t fool them. If the story doesn’t make sense or lacks logic, they’ll call it out. This demand for high-quality content is great, but it also adds pressure. At the same time, I believe we should have all kinds of content—artistic films, thrillers, and even lighthearted movies. Not everything needs to be overanalyzed for logic; some things are meant for pure entertainment,” she says.
Talking about her current role, she says, “Speaking about my character, I feel connected to her in some ways. She is very straightforward, honest, and fearless. Although I don’t take my character home with me after the shoot, playing her has taught me the importance of being honest in life. It’s important for an actor to understand the distinction between themselves and their character. Once the director says “action,” you become the character. But as soon as the director says “cut,” you need to step out of it. This is an important skill for any actor to learn,” she says.
She adds, “One of the perks of playing my character is that she speaks the Haryanvi dialect, which is similar to my mother tongue, so it feels natural. Even the way she dresses and behaves is something I can relate to. She’s tough yet soft-hearted, and I enjoy portraying this duality.”
Ask her why she loves being a part of daily soaps, and she says, “When it comes to daily soap, the best part is definitely the stability of having a regular monthly income. It’s a strong reason for many people, including me, to work in daily soaps. Thankfully, the schedule for my current show is very well organized. We have a fixed plan for the day, and things are managed smoothly without unnecessary chaos. Since I’m working on a comedy show, the environment on set is very lighthearted. Everyone is friendly, and we often joke around between takes. Compared to other shows, this is the best work environment I’ve experienced so far. It’s simple, smooth, and enjoyable, making the journey even more fulfilling.”
