Patiala Babes' Ashnoor Kaur on dealing with stardom: I am just like any other normal girl
Ashnoor Kaur, the teenage sensation has swept the Instagram by her grace and warm presence. The actress is currently seen in the television show Patiala Babes playing the role of Mini. Ashnoor started her career in the showbiz when she was just 5 years old and now at 16, she is playing the central character in Patiala Babes. In an exclusive tete-e tete with The Timesofindia.com, Ashnoor revealed how she balances her personal and professional life. She also spoke about the responsibility that comes along with the celebrity status and her equation with co-actor Sourabh Raaj Jain. Read on... (Interview By: Gayatri Nirmal)
From Jhansi Ki Rani to Patiala Babes, can we say, you've literally grown up on sets?
I was 5 years old when I started in Jhansi Ki Rani (2009) to now in Patiala Babes (2020). It's been a great journey. I've actually grown up on sets. From childhood to now my teenage years, and I am still growing. Everyday is a learning experience to learn and grow. Of course, back then there were different tracks but because I am a sensitive person, I could do the emotional scenes better. Now that the teenage love story is coming up, it's a new thing for me. I am getting to learn new things with the new upcoming tracks. (Photo: Instagram)
Has Patiala Babes changed you as a person for the good?
Patiala Babes has taught me a lot. I've learnt many things from Mini and implied it on my real life too. Mini is always optimistic. I guess she is a symbol of always working hard and fighting back to win what you deserve, to live your own life. Mini has taught me to be practical along with being emotional. It is not about always listening to your heart but using your brains. This show has changed me for the good. (Photo: Instagram)
With its second season, were you apprehensive about being receiving it warmly by the audience?
Me and the entire team were very apprehensive about it and had our fingers crossed. Obviously, it was a sudden and big change for any show. It did get a lot of hype when this news came out but the positive side and to our surprise, it did work out very well and it was very warmly received by the audience. I still get messages about how they are loving the track, be it Mini and Neil or Mini and Arya. (Photo: Instagram)
What all apprehensions did you have about the second season?
The second season was altogether a new journey from scratch and the character also underwent many changes. One big challenge was to portray the mixed emotions. She's hollow from the inside but still she's cheerful and happy and takes care of the house. The second problem is that she is an only child and has never lived with any siblings. That elderly sister love you get but to handle a little child is difficult. Me and Sayyesha are bonding really well on the sets and the audience is loving our bond. (Photo: Instagram)
How is it working with Sourabh Raaj Jain? How did you'll break the ice?
It's lovely working with Sourabh Raaj Jain. He's a very humble person and an amazing co-actor. I really enjoy doing scenes with him because whenever you do a scene, it's a two-way thing from also the co-actor. It's an amazing experience and we are enjoying a lot. There wasn't actually an ice-breaker moment but eventually with time we got comfortable. We have a lot of fun on sets and are like Tom and Jerry with each other. Initially, I was a bit apprehensive that how is it going to be of the age, I'll have to be serious but it's totally the opposite. (Photo: Instagram)
How do you balance personal and professional life?
I've always kept my personal and professional life different. I never get the celebrity or stardom 'vali' feeling. I am just like any other normal girl when it comes to going out with friends, school. Even my teachers say that whatever Ashnoor is, once she enters the class, it's like a normal school girl is coming to study. I've always kept them different that's why, maybe, I am able to balance both of them. Even after packup or if I have little time, I meet my friends. I breathe acting and can't live without it. (Photo: Instagram)
Now that you are a famous personality, how is it when you go to your school/college or neighbourhood?
It feels really good and you feel really blessed when you meet your fans, when people recognise you and come and appreciate you. My first show got me a lot of recognition, where I played Prachi in Jhansi Ki Rani, Nanhi in Naa Bole Tum Naa Maine Kuch Kaha or Niara in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and now Patiala Babes. The highlights are when the fans name their daughters by my character's name. I recently met a 6-month old girl and her mother told me that she has kept her name Ashnoor by watching Patiala Babes. So, it's great when people say that they want a daughter like you. I feel blessed. (Photo: Instagram)
You have massive followers on social media and you must be receiving a lot of messages from your fans but what is that one thing your fans often tell you?
I receive a lot of messages but that one thing that my fans often tell me is 'There's grace in your simplicity' and they love my smile. So, in every picture I have to smile because they want to see me smiling in every picture. (Photo: Instagram)
Because of the massive fan-following, do you feel responsible about the kind of content you share on social media?
I feel very responsible and it's a big responsibility I must say. When you have fame you should use it in the correct way and you should know how to influence your followers and fans in a positive way. So, they shouldn't go off your page as a sadder person but as a happier person. I always keep monitoring my content and make sure that any message I am giving is motivating them and is leading them in a good way. These days social media has a great impact especially on the youth and youth are the tomorrow of India. It needs to be used in a good way. (Photo: Instagram)