Naagin 7's Kanika Mann on her bond with Priyanka Chahar Choudhary; says 'We have been friends for more than a decade, so there is a comfort between us'

Television actress Kanika Mann, who enters Naagin 7 in a powerful new avatar, shares her thoughts on becoming part of the iconic fantasy franchise. She talks about playing one of its most enigmatic characters, her preparation for the role and bond with Priyanka Chahar Choudhary.Naagin is one of television’s most iconic franchises. How does it feel to join Naagin 7 at this stage?It feels surreal to be a part of Naagin 7 as it is not just another show. It is a phenomenon that has shaped fantasy storytelling on Indian television for years. You grow up watching a franchise like this and never imagine that one day you will be stepping into that universe yourself. I have always admired Balaji Telefilms and Ekta ma’am’s storytelling, and ever since I moved to Mumbai, I hoped that I would get to work with them. So when the opportunity came at such an important turning point in the story, it truly felt like a full-circle moment in my journey. Being part of a show with this kind of history pushes you to elevate your own performance every single day, because Naagin isn’t just a show you join, it’s a legacy you step into, and that responsibility excites me. Tell us about your character in the upcoming track.I play Radhika, and what stayed with me after the narration was how unpredictable she is. I genuinely got goosebumps listening to how her journey unfolds because she doesn’t operate in simple categories of right or wrong, she moves in shades that keep evolving. There is an intensity about her, a presence that doesn’t need to announce itself. As the track progresses, the audience will slowly uncover new facets of her personality and realise that there is far more beneath the surface than what first meets the eye. Radhika is a mystery that will unfold layer by layer, and nothing about her is what it first seems.What excited you the most about stepping into the world of mytho-fantasy with Naagin?What genuinely excited me was that Naagin did not feel safe or predictable. I am very competitive with myself, and I never want to repeat what I’ve already done, I want every new project to demand more from me. When I heard the narration, I realised this is a world where every move has weight and every emotion carries consequence, and that kind of intensity challenges you as a performer. The scale is grand, the drama is heightened, and you cannot hide behind comfort in a universe like this. That thrill of stepping into something demanding is what pulled me in, because if a role does not scare me a little, it does not excite me.Did you do any special preparation for this powerful role?My preparation honestly began the moment I heard the narration because I realised Radhika is not someone you understand instantly. I kept thinking about what makes her take those decisions, why she reacts in a certain way and how she processes emotionally charged situations. Instead of focusing on surface details, I kept questioning her choices and placing myself in her circumstances to see how I would respond. I never say no to opportunities that challenge me, and with Radhika the real work was in staying alert to her shifting mindset and energy. You may think you understand Radhika in one scene, and she will surprise you in the next.You share a close bond with Priyanka Chahar Choudhary. How has it been working with her on this show?Priyanka and I have been friends for more than a decade, so there is a comfort between us that doesn’t need effort. When you’ve known someone for that long, you don’t spend time adjusting on set, you simply step into the scene. We understand each other’s rhythm and emotional cues very naturally, which helps especially in intense moments. Even before I joined the show, we would talk about Naagin, about the scale and storyline, so stepping into that world with her already leading it felt special. Working with Priyanka in Naagin 7 doesn’t feel like two actors performing, it feels like two friends constantly pushing each other to be better.How does it feel working with Ekta Kapoor on such a big franchise?Working with Ekta ma’am feels like fulfilling something I had visualised for years. Since moving to Mumbai, I always wanted to collaborate with Balaji because the characters they create stay in public memory for a long time. She has a sharp instinct for stories that become cultural moments, and Naagin is proof of that. What I respect most is that she trusts actors with strong, layered roles instead of playing safe, and that naturally pushes you to rise to the occasion. If Ekta ma’am believes you belong in her Naagin universe, you know you have to bring your A game.