Exclusive - Aladdin: Naam Toh Suna Hoga's Ashi Singh on replacing Avneet Kaur in the show: Had expected a lot of negative comments and feedback

Ashi Singh, who is currently playing Yasmine in Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga, recently spoke with ETimes TV and exclusively shared her work experience during the pandemic. Ashi has recently replaced Avneet Kaur to play the role of Princess Yasmine. Speaking to us, Ashi shared that she decided to step out of her home to take up this show after a lot of self-thought. Also, stepping into Yasmine’s shoes, Ashi revealed that she thought she would receive a lot of negative comments on social media but thankfully didn’t had to face such a moment. Ashi also said that she took sometime to get comfortable in Yasmine’s look. She also spoke about replacing Avneet, work experience with co-star Siddharth Nigam (who plays Aladdin). (By: Vijaya Tiwari) (Photo: Instagram)

It has been very good and fantastic. Initially, I did not expect that but it has been quite beautiful. I am having a great time shooting. I am having a lot of fun doing the show as I am getting to learn a new thing everyday, this new character, for me everything is new. Though, I understand that this show has been on-air since the last 2 years and people have been watching it but for me it is a new show and newness is always beautiful. It is a nice feeling. (Photo: Instagram)

I had actually expected a lot of negative feedback and comments because obviously I am replacing someone and I have seen in the past also the audience do not accept someone so easily. I am getting that negative feedback, the negative comments from fan pages, but not that much as I expected. There are a lot of people who are telling me that I am doing good. Only two episodes have gone on-air until now and there are a few who are already liking me. So, it is a great feeling that people have already started liking me after just watching two episodes and they are liking me as Yasmine. I am happy with the response and I hope people who are not able to accept me as Yasmine also start loving me soon. (Photo: Instagram)

Apart from coronavirus, the other reason why I was contemplating or reconsidering so much about doing the project was replacing Avneet Kaur in the show. As a character Yasmine's role is too good, it's very different and has so much scope to perform. So, as an actor you always look out for opportunities where you get to do different and unique roles. This was the second reason why I was thinking a lot before accepting the role because replacing someone in a popular show is very very risky. The audience might not accept you for a very long time but I still did it because it is a very good role. (Photo: Instagram)

People are comparing but I was already prepared for it, so it is not affecting me that much. Had I not been prepared for the comparisons then there would have been a problem. I would have felt bad. I totally understand how the fans feel because as a kid when I followed a lot of shows and if I loved someone even I did not like another actor replacing my favourite at that time you don't like seeing someone else's face. I do understand their feelings as well, comparisons do happen and I try to ignore them as much as I can. I just focus on enhancing my craft, my work so that people don't get any opportunity to talk negative about my acting. (Photo: Instagram)

It has been very fascinating to get into this character. As a kid I think every girl loves to be a princess or dress up like one. We all have grown up reading about Snow White, Cinderella. We all have ready about these four five characters and have loved to be like them one day. Now, I have finally got a chance to be one of the princesses and it feels like my childhood dream has come true. (Photo: Instagram)

I am playing Yasmine and the look is beautiful. But frankly speaking I am not very comfortable with the look as I have to shoot with the look, heavy costume and jewellery for 10-12 hours, so it doesn't feel very fascinating anymore. In fact, initially it took me three-four days to get comfortable with this look. But now I have got used to the look. So, before the character I had to get comfortable with the look actually. Fascinating, beautiful but not comfortable. (Photo: Instagram)

Avneet and Siddharth have known each other for quite sometime now. In fact, they had also worked with each other before also and they did this show Aladdin for two years. Sidharth and I have just met two weeks ago. We have met before too but it was more like a hi-hello type. We don't have that amazing best friends type bonding, but Siddharth Nigam and other cast members have made me feel like I have been part of this show for long. They did not make me feel an outsider or new to the show. It felt as if I have always been a part of the Aladdin family and made me feel very comfortable. Siddharth has been a supportive and is a very good person. He even helped me with a few action sequences. He is a nice person. (Photo: Instagram)

Yes, the thought of the virus is always there at the back of my mind. I am very scared about this coronavirus. I did not step out of my house for three and a half months during the lockdown. And now I am working, going out everyday to shoot. When I am on the set there is always a mixed feeling. I am excited that I am working even at this time and I have a show and at the same time I also feel nervous. It is always there at the back of my mind that we have to stay away from everyone, maintain social distancing, use sanitizers, we have to take all the precautions. But what if I still get the virus and come back home with it, I have a five-year-old niece, and also have my parents, so it is indeed scary. I do take all the precautions that I can. It is scary I won't deny that. (Photo: Instagram)

As I told you I did not step out of the house for three and a half months, so I did not have to bother about anything. But now whenever I return home, I keep my shoes out of the house. I straight come inside and head to my room, take a bath and sanitise all the stuff that I have used. I do not keep my stuff outside for anyone to touch or use it. I try to sleep also early by 9 pm so that I am not in contact with my family once I return home. So, even if I interact with my family it is from a distance. Earlier, whenever I returned home, the first thing I would do is hug my mother. Now, I have stopped doing that. (Photo: Instagram)

Actually, more than my parents it was very difficult for me to convince myself to start working again. I had given the audition for it but even post that I thought a lot whether I should take up the show or not. I contemplated a lot over whether I should take up the show or just be at home for another 4-5 months. But the truth is that after staying at home for such a long time, it had started affecting me mentally and it was very frustrating as I had become non-productive. We know that the virus is not going to go away so easily and the vaccine will also not be out so soon in the market. I knew this fact that I can't stay at home permanently and I have to step out and do something. Then why not this. As far as my parents are concerned they trust me completely and feel if I have said yes to something, I must have thought over it a lot. (Photo: Instagram)