Latest news with #Kanka
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Puja Sharma: I needed something bold to come back
After a seven-year hiatus, Puja Sharma returns to television with the show 'Jhanak,' embracing the complex character of Kanka, a tribal woman with both positive and negative traits. After a seven-year sabbatical from television, actress Puja Sharma makes her comeback with the show Jhanak . 'It made me sharper, more grounded. But yes, I missed the chaos of sets, the adrenaline of performance. I needed something bold to come back,' she shares. Puja plays Kanka, a tribal woman with grey shades in her character. 'I've played positive leads before, but Kanka is raw, volatile, and emotionally layered. My character is not negative but there's a positive side to her too, where she supports people around her. I am also exploring my character as the day passes.' The actress recently began shooting in West Bengal. 'Even though the weather wasn't great, the shoot went well. The show already has its own set of niche audience, and it's tough to bring in new roles, but I'm sure people will like it.' Hailing from Jharkhand, Puja says the dialect comes naturally to her. 'This character is Bihari, so I enjoy playing that. It feels authentic.' On her decision to return, Puja reflects, 'In TV, once an actor turns 30, they are typecast in roles of bhabhi, masi or chachi. I'm not saying those are bad, but they need to be strong. After taking a 7-year sabbatical, I wanted to return with a role that's worth it—and this one got me excited.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Puja Sharma makes power-packed comeback
Puja Sharma marks her return after a seven-year break with the role of Kanka in Jhanak, a fierce tribal woman from a Naxalite background. Drawing inspiration from her Jharkhand upbringing, Puja embraces the raw and emotionally layered character. This role marks a significant departure from her previous positive leads, offering her the bold and intense comeback she desired. After a seven-year hiatus, actress Puja Sharma is back — and she's returning with fire in her eyes. Known for her memorable roles in Naagin, Jyoti, Dil Se Dil Tak, Mere Angne Mein, and Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, Puja now steps into uncharted territory with Jhanak, playing Kanka — a fierce, grey-shaded tribal woman from a Naxalite backdrop. 'I've played positive leads before, but Kanka is raw, volatile, and emotionally layered,' she shares. 'What made it even more special is how personal it felt. I grew up in Jharkhand, surrounded by tribal women who worked in our home — strong, grounded women whose spirit I've always admired. I didn't need to 'prepare' for Kanka — I just had to feel her.' In Jhanak, which recently took a leap, Kanka is introduced as a powerful force within a tribal community deeply distrustful of outsiders. Her soft spot for the head of the tribe — someone she's known since childhood — adds a surprising emotional core to an otherwise fiery character. 'Kanka doesn't play nice — and I love that about her,' Puja says. 'It's the kind of role I was waiting for — not sugar-coated, not safe.' The sabbatical, she says, was crucial. 'It made me sharper, more grounded. But yes, I missed the chaos of sets, the adrenaline of performance. I needed something bold to come back for — and Jhanak gave me just that.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Having started her journey with Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna in 2008, Puja calls this a 'full-circle moment.' Off-screen too, she's been a recognizable face, having starred in popular ad campaigns too. But now, the ad-glam has made way for grit — and Puja Sharma is all set to reintroduce herself with the kind of intensity that's hard to ignore.
