She said, “Rajan had first shot the pilot of Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi with another actress in 1999. That actress then entered into cinema so he was looking for a replacement for her. I had already started to shooting for Sukanya at that time but still went to audition. I managed to execute the scene they wanted me to do but it was not convincing enough. Rajan was a first time director then. I remember how he left my audition midway but as aspiring actors we were used to rejections. After the audition I went out and heard Rajan and his assistant talking about a double role. I went to inquire and he explained the story to me. I loved the story and i just knew i had to be a part of it. i was so insistent for a second audition that i refused to leave until rajan gave me another chance. i played the first scene again and this time rajan noticed me. then he given another choice na to recite. I ended up playing nine scenes after which Rajan gave me a big smile. The next day I was actually selected for the role!”
Talking about the show, he further said, ‘Rajan made sure that the first few episodes were shot perfectly. The sad part though was that Rajan left the show midway and the other directors and writers who came in after him they were as good storytellers as he was. The show did well but the charm that Rajan initially brought was not there. But DHKMN was and always will be the most special debut on the small screen.
