Aaditi Pohankar on recognition post 'She': 'I feel empowered as an actor'

It is a surreal feeling for actor Aiti Pohankar who is receiving congratulatory messs from people across world after watching her Netflix original series "She".  actor said she feels encourd to do more work going forward. Co-written and created by Imtiaz Ali, "She" features Aiti as a timid Mumbai constable who realises potential of her dormant sexuality after she goes undercover to expose a drug ring. show also stars Vijay Varma.

For 25-year-old, playing her character, Bhumika Pardesi, was an inspiring journey.

"When I was shooting for film, it was ar feeling of achievement because script was giving me power and that resonated with audience. Today, when I relive my times as Bhumika, it gives me so much inspiration to work more and more," Aiti told PTI in an interview.

actor said playing character has given her strength, that she said, she can stand in front of anybody and say "please give me script, n we shall talk".

"I feel so empowered as an actor today. I'm enjoying this completely without thinking what will happen next," she ded.

For Aiti, journey of "She" started nearly two years ago when she met Imtiaz at screening of "Laila Majnu" and asked him to check her showreel. She h featured in Marathi blockbuster "Lai Bhaari", also starring Riteish Deshmukh, and h done two films down south till n. When Imtiaz saw her showreel, he called her for a meeting, where to her surprise, designer Aki Narula was also present.

"He started narrating script but said this isn't kind of part I'd do, as I'm more on rom-com side. He said part is of an unattractive girl. But second he started to speak about Bhumika, I could feel certain connection with character."

For series, Aiti h to get into character of a cop who has to moonlight as a sex worker and thus, involved a certain intimacy which actor wasn't sure she could pull off. Coming from a family of Hindustani Classical musicians, actor was a bit wary.

"I h told Imtiaz sir that I'm essentially a shy girl. When he asked me till what extent I can do things for show, I said it isn't about extent, I trust you completely and will do whatever you say. best part about Imtiaz sir is that he never makes you feel uncomfortable about anything.

"re is thing ever that you have to do. If you're able to do it, great, if t, we will do something else. Our jugalbandi (tuning) really worked. thing felt awkward, thanks to him and Vijay Varma who kept saying sorry after every take," she ded.

Co-directed by Avinash Das and Arif Ali, series also focuses on complex equation between narcotics dealer Sasya, played by Vijay, and Bhumika.  actor said fear her character feels in front of Sasya was something she channelled from real life.

" first day we rehearsed, I h called Vijay and asked if we could rehearse at his house. That day I was a little scared, because I h just met him and wondered what will he think. But I so wanted to get this out of my way, I said let's do this... We did a small acting exercise. That fear, one I h that day, I used it throughout my character. I didn't kw him, so as a woman I kept thinking what will he think."

Post "She", Aiti said, big producers have got in touch with her.

"I'm surprised that compliments are coming my way from across world, from Los Angeles to South Africa... I can see myself doing commercial cinema... It should t be that because I am a performer, I get similar kind of roles. I'd like to dabble in both. I should, I can," she ded.