Barkha out of SLB’s TV show, but has a role in Ram Leela

Barkha out of SLB’s TV show, but has a role in Ram Leela

    There were talks of actress Barkha Bisht being approached to play the female lead in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming television show, Saraswati Chandra. But she lost the role to Jennifer Winget, who was the channel’s original choice.
    Says Barkha, “I gave an elaborate look test for the show. Sanjay sir was keen on me for the role, but things didn’t work out.” However, Barkha is excited about being a part of Bhansali’s film Ram Leela, where she plays Ranveer Singh’s bhabhi, Kesar. About her character, she says, “In the first half of the film, Kesare comes across as sweet and docile, but in the second half — after becoming a widow — she becomes stronger and vents her emotions even though women in the family are not expected to speak up. I need to wear a dupatta on my head all the time, which is a little difficult. But Sanjay sir was very particular about the look. On paper, the role seems important and substantial, but the length of a character is often decided at the editing table.”
    Asked if she was disappointed with the length of her item number in Raajneeti, she says, “That was my first attempt at item numbers. I took it up because I am extremely fond of dancing and to add to it, it was a Prakash Jha film. However, I am not keen on doing item numbers any more unless the project is really good.”
    – With inputs from Stuti Agarwal

Barkha Bisht