Ridhi Dogra, gears up to play a negative role on television

For Ridhi Dogra, playing a grey role in the new show Woh Apna Sa is nothing short of venturing out of her comfort zone. The actress admits that her latest act is a huge shift since she has otherwise essayed only positive roles. Elaborating further about her grey act, Ridhi shares, “My character is mean but it isn’t an out and out negative role. She is a self-centered, self-aware person. In fact, I would say that she knows what she wants.”

Ridhi is mighty impressed by negative roles played by Shah Rukh Khan in films like Baazigar, Darr and Anjaam. So when the makers of the television show approached her for the role, she signed up for it without any hesitation. She adds, “A grey character is exciting to portray when it is written well. I have not shifted gears but the real reason why I took up this role is because I have wanted to take up something that will push me as a performer. In television today, there is very little quality. And if there is a good role, makers want to show the character as sugary sweet. Today, good roles are written for 19-20-year-olds. I am interested in playing flawed characters.”

The actress, in fact, isn’t worried about being typecast either. She says, “I am a very secure actor. I want to push the envelope and take up different roles.” She continues, “I have been on television for far too long. I even took a long break, which in itself is a bold move. At that point, everyone told me that I should keep doing TV to stay relevant, but I put my foot down.”

Ridhi now hopes to take up more performance-oriented roles. She says, “There is a lot more for me to do in the coming years. For instance, I have wanted to work in a romantic show for a long time but I will make sure I work in one in the future.” She adds, “I truly believe that my all-time favourite actor Shah Rukh Khan said that my next role will be my best role. When I took up Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak?, I thought it was my best performance. Later I realised that I had never attempted to do what I did with Savitri. The role in Woh Apna Sa too is unlike anything I have done before.”