EXCLUSIVE: “For the record, I have never used glycerin to cry on-screen” – Digangana Suryavanshi

At the age of 17, Digangana Suryavanshi aka Veera of ‘Ek Veer Ki Ardas… Veera’, hits the nail on the head when it comes to being talented. Recently during a telephonic chat, she left us impressed by narrating a detailed story of all her achievements so far. Read on to know what she has to say about rumours regarding her moodiness, her long hair and her special skills.

How come you thought of acting at such a young age?

I always wanted to an actor since the age of 5. I connect with acting and writing. I take myself as an artist and writing is equally important for me. The acting bug bit me when once I sat down to watch TV with mom and dad and told them how eager I am to be on-screen.
I had the spark within me. Moreover, I have it in my genes as my father was an actor before he got married.
People often get confused hearing my American accent. But the truth is I was very inspired by western music and TV shows at a very young age. I used to watch shows on Disney Channel, cartoons and Hannah Montana was my favorite during growing up years. That was the time I started signing and picked up the accent. I did not know I was speaking differently.
People would often ask how I can speak such clear American English. But I can even speak very good Hindi and Marathi. I have good linguistic abilities.

You seem to be a pampered girl. How do you feel?

I really feel special. It is so important in today’s world to have a great support system. No one else except your family can understand you better. People may show you support but they can’t really feel for you. When it comes to showing real support, they may back off. Family and work comes first for me. Everything I wanted to do I have found my family standing beside me saying “we are there for you.” I am the youngest of all in my family. I am very close to my maternal grand ma. I can go any extent to do what she says I have blind faith in her.

Unlike other actresses, you have very long hair. You stand out of the rest for your long hair. How did that happen?

A lot of people don’t know that when I was very young, I had very curly hair. I did not even look like a new born because I had so much hair. As time passed, I don’t know how they got straightened. My parents waited for me to grow up so that I could decide what to do with my hair. Now, even if I am asked to chop my hair, I won’t. I would rather wear a wig. It is all manageable. Moreover, I work in a ‘fake’ industry because all the time you are impersonating someone else on-screen.

In the past, there were rumours about you being a tantrum queen? Do you have anything to say on that?

I did hear those rumours and was quite hurt. I am not that sort of the person who would throw her weight around. I am very young and I don’t have time to gossip around. I have better things to do. Do you really think I can make time for such nuisance?
But I think it is a part of the business I am into. I am what I am and I am not gonna change. People bounce your name in the press to pull you down but I am a genuine person. I don’t know where people who talk like that come from. In fact, whenever I am advised to give them back in the same coin, I back off. I can’t talk crap about anyone. I can’t abuse or backstab. I follow some ethics. I believe actions speak louder than words.

Do you want to continue your education after passing senior secondary exams? What do you wish to study after school?

Yes of course. I take academics very seriously. I am into psychology and literature. I am more interested in psychology. It has more scope to explore the human psyche. I find every person different from another. The subject will be very helpful for me to grow as a writer and artist.

# 3 things no one knows about you are:

1. I am an Ambivert person. I am neither too chatty nor too quiet.

2. I like people who are REAL irrespective of what they love, do or say.

3. For the record, I have never used glycerin to cry on-screen. It takes 10-15 for me to cry for a scene no matter how many retakes I do. Also, I am like a parrot when it comes to learning my dialogues.