Like a supernova bursting forth in the firmament, Abigail Pande has exploded onto the Indian entertainment scene, casting a warm, golden glow over the industry. She has been a fixture in the Indian entertainment industry since quite a young age. With a career spanning multiple projects, including her debut, Kya Dill Mein Hai, Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna, Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai, Bandini, Yeh Hai Aashiqui, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, D4–Get Up and Dance and goes on the list….Pande has consistently pushed herself to take on diverse roles.
As she takes on the role of Nikhat, aka Nikki, in her latest project, Divorce Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, she sits down over a Zoom call with The Pioneer for an exclusive chat.
Her entry into the industry was not a planned one. “I had no intention of acting, to be honest,” revealed the Bandini fame. However, as she began working on projects, she discovered a passion for
acting. “When I started working, I realised I loved acting. It challenged me to become better as a person and a professional.”
As she navigated her career, she began to realise what drew her to a particular project. “I want to do something that would challenge me, like something that I’ve not done too much in the past,” she explained. The Shakti—Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki fame looks for projects that push her out of her comfort zone, seeking roles that are different from her previous work.
“Now, with the rise of web series, I’ve become greedier for content-driven shows and meatier roles,” she admitted. Her desire for challenging roles has led her to explore new and innovative projects.
Abigail’s latest venture, Divorce Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, is a prime example of her desire for innovative and challenging projects. Without giving too many spoilers to our readers who haven’t watched the show, she hinted that Divorce Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega offers a fresh perspective on a concept that is often overlooked.
“It’s something that we generally don’t think of,” Yeh Hai Aashiqui fame teased. “While ‘Pyaar Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega’ is something we’re familiar with, this is something new.” Her enthusiasm for the project is evident and fans, as we had previously mentioned in our review, can expect to see her push the boundaries of her craft once again.
According to her, the name “Divorce” itself is a reflection of the show’s distinctiveness. “When I heard the name for the first time, I thought it was apt for the show,” she shared. “It’s so different and I think that’s what drew me to it.”
Abigail revealed that the tone of this project is actually lighthearted and humorous, despite the show’s focus on divorce proceedings. “It’s definitely humorous,” she emphasised. “The whole theme itself is very lighthearted. It’s something that you can sit with your family and watch. It’s more about competition and what you go through as a couple when you’re filing for divorce. It’s definitely very different.”
The concept of divorce, she acknowledged, is often viewed as negative. “When you just hear the name of the show, it sounds like, ‘Oh my God, who’s getting divorced?’ It brings up a lot of serious and intense emotions,” she said. “But I think when you watch the show, you’ll realise that it’s not as serious as it sounds.”
She further credited the show’s director, Ankush Bhatt, with handling the topic of divorce with care and sensitivity. “I think he’s really managed that very well, where it’s not offensive to anyone and it’s not all intense and serious,” she explained. “It’s just a big goof-up that has happened and how we’re trying to rectify that.”
The show’s unique blend of humour is expected to play a crucial role in making the concept of divorce more appealing and relatable to audiences. The Gumrah fame believes that the show’s lighthearted tone will help viewers forget their initial reservations about the topic. “I think in the first episode only, you’ll forget about that part of it,” she said.
Her character, Nikhat Kothari, is pretty competitive and ambitious in life, who wants to be the best at whatever she’s doing—a total perfectionist.
Pande drew parallels between her own personality and that of her character, highlighting their shared drive and focus on work. “I understand that part, like how work is such an important part of her life and how everything in her life is so calculated. She thinks everything through very carefully, and I think that part of it is very attractive to me as a character. Playing a practical, career-driven girl is going to be my first time ever.”
According to Abigail, one of the primary misconceptions about divorce is that it’s a straightforward process. “I’ve realised through the show that, okay, it’s not just like how we’ve always seen it,” she said. “There is a process that happens; there is a certain amount of time that you wait; there is a lot of back and forth with court trials and stuff that you know happens when you’re filing for a divorce. I don’t think ‘taboo’ is the right word, but people have a lot of old-school thinking that says, ‘Oh my god, divorce is so bad’. But I think it’s 2024 and people have kind of understood that if something is not working out, you might as well end it rather than staying in something toxic.”
Abigail’s experience working with co-star Rishab was a highlight of the project. “I had so much fun shooting with him because he’s also very competitive and both of us have known each other for so many years—over 10 years now. As an actor, he really challenges me to do better because of that competitive spirit that he has. He’s always trying to one-up me and I think that also challenged me as an actor to do better.” Going ahead, Pande shared a memorable anecdote about filming a bike-riding sequence. “I had never ridden a bike in my life and I had learned it especially for this show. I was so nervous about that whole sequence because, you know, acting and all that is something I’ve done in the past. But when you’re riding a bike, you’re also shooting, you’re also saying dialogues and you have another actor sitting right behind you.”
Her apprehension about the sequence was alleviated when it was successfully completed. “It all went well and the outcome was great and I didn’t fall or drop Rishab down,” she said with relief. “So I think that was very important for me in the shoot.”
As the spotlight fades on her latest project, she is already scripting her next act. Abigail is poised to take on new challenges and push the boundaries of her artistry. While her plate is full with several projects in the works, she is hesitant to reveal too much just yet. One project that she can confirm, however, is a music video slated for release next month.
“I’m really, really looking forward to it,” she shared and oh, her enthusiasm was quite evident. Although she couldn’t provide further details on her upcoming projects, it’s clear that Abigail is poised for a bright and busy future!
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