Saniya Khera gets candid about her character, says 'Prem Leela's Aishwarya is one of the most layered characters I've played'
Actress Saniya Khera, currently winning praise for her performance as the manipulative Fake Leela in the show
, opens up about her journey, the challenges of portraying a complex negative character, and how the show has impacted her growth as an actor.
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Known for her roles in Junooniyatt, Tose Naina Milaike, Mann Atisundar, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha toh and Maddam Sir, Saniya takes a bold leap by stepping into the shoes of Aishwarya—a character who impersonates the real Leela in the show.
On bagging the role, she tells, 'With my experience, I think one of the best directors, Uttam sir, saw that I could bring depth and complexity to a negative role," she shares. "Villains or antagonists aren't just bad people—they're layered, and it takes a certain amount of control and nuance to make them believable.
I was excited to take on something different and challenge myself in a new way."
On playing Fake Leela, she stated, 'In Prem Leela, I play Aishwarya—also known as Fake Leela. She comes across as selfish and negative, but there's so much more to her. She's deeply driven by her desires, her insecurities, and her need for validation. Aishwarya doesn't always make the right choices, but from her perspective, she's doing what she thinks is best for herself.
She's manipulative at times, but she genuinely loves what she does.
She believes whatever she does is ultimately for the best. What I love about this character is that she's not one-dimensional.'
Recalling a standout scene, she says, "One particular moment that really defines Aishwarya is when she pretends to support the lead couple, but behind their backs, she's plotting to create misunderstandings between them.
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What makes the scene powerful is how subtle her manipulation is—she uses emotional tactics, carefully chosen words, and even a fake tear or two."
"It's not loud or dramatic, but quiet and calculated. That scene really captures who Aishwarya is—always a few steps ahead, with her strength lying in her ability to disguise her true intentions behind a sweet smile. Playing that kind of layered emotion is both challenging and rewarding."
Taking on such a multifaceted character was no easy task for Saniya. "I've usually been seen in positive or neutral characters, so stepping into a full-on negative role required a completely different approach — mentally, emotionally, and even physically. First, I had to really get into the psyche of Fake Leela. Why does she do what she does? What are her insecurities, her ambitions, her pain? Once I understood her motivations, I could play her with more depth instead of making her just a typical villain.
I also had to work on changing my body language and expressions.'
Saniya describes her time on set as creatively enriching. "Working on Prem Leela has been such a memorable and fulfilling journey. From day one, the energy on set has been electric—a beautiful mix of passion, fun, and hard work," she smiles.
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