Exclusive - Your body shape and size can't define your inner beauty: Sundara Mana Madhye Bharli actress Akshaya Naik

Popular Hindi TV show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai fame Akshaya Naik has impressed all with her acting skills in Marathi TV show Sundara Mana Madhye Bharli. The talented actress says she has finally got a chance to play a role that truly resembles her real life persona. In an exclusive chat with ETimes TV, Akshaya spoke about rejecting demeaning roles, dealing with trolls and how she faces everything with a positive mindset.

Interview by - Vaishnavi Gavankar

The actress is happy to work in a Marathi TV show after a hiatus. Akshaya said, "After Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata, I am doing the Marathi TV show Sundara Mana Madhye Bharli. It feels like home here. I am playing a lead character in the show and it's a huge responsibility now. Latika's character is almost similar to my real-life persona. It's a good opportunity for me to work on such a concept which is really relatable to me."

Akshaya rejected a few projects before accepting Sundara Mana Madhye Bharli. Elaborating on the same, she said, "I rejected a few scripts because I thought somewhere those concepts were insulting obese people. So I preferred to stay unemployed rather than spreading a negative message to the audience. I am blessed that after a gap of many years, not just because I got to play a lead role but somewhere I felt that I can spread positivity with the role. I can be the voice of people who are facing struggles due to their oversize."

Naik, too, faced rejections for her body shape. "A lot of times the makers would tell me that I am not suitable for their projects and they need a beautiful woman. I wanted to say that at least take my audition and then decide but nothing happened. Everything is about waiting for the right opportunity," she shared.

Akshaya's family and friends kept her motivated while dealing with negativity. She said, "I am so fortunate that I have got a really nice friend circle. I think we are not going to stop anyone from gossiping because Kuch toh log kahenge logon ka ka kaam hai kehna. My friends and family are so supportive. I never got demotivated because of that. People can have their opinions and I can understand that.” (PC - Instagram)

The actress feels keeping yourself mentally fit is also necessary while focusing on physical fitness. She stated, "First of all, I will tell everyone that your body shape and size just represent you but not your persona. Acceptance is the key. We have to accept obesity but that doesn't mean you need to feel bad about yourself. I also feel that besides physical fitness, you have to keep yourself mentally fit, too.”

Akshaya is playing the character of Latika that almost resembles her. Talking about it, she said, "I am playing the character of Latika who is from Nashik. So, speaking a native language was a bit challenging for me but my director helped me, too. I worked on the language and I’m still trying to be pro at it. Besides this, Latika is a great chef and I am the opposite. So, I am also trying my hands at cooking so that it will be beneficial for me while performing on-screen. I am playing the character of a girl-next-door. Latika is overweight but it's not like she is just eating continuously. She is active and favorite of everyone. So, I am really happy to play such a character that can resemble me."

Akshaya Naik feels body shape and size don't define anybody and its all about inner beauty. She explained, "People can't tell us what we should do or what we should wear. Even if you are fat, your mind should be fit. Anyone, who is facing trolls and negative comments from netizens, I would urge them to only focus on positive things. It is your inborn gift and your body shape and size can't just describe your inner beauty. Everything depends upon your creativity and ability."

Interview by - Vaishnavi Gavankar