Pyaar Hai Toh Hai actress Paanie Kashyap: “I have trained myself relentlessly throughout this journey”

“Telling my parents that I wanted to be an actor was like dropping a bomb,” says actress Paanie Kashyap who made her Hindi film debut with Pyaar Hai Toh Hai co-starring with Karan Hariharan. Paanie comes from Bokar, Jharkhand and started her career as a newsreader in college which eventually landed her some roles in advertisements. In conversation with Cine Blitz, the debutante actress opens up about her film and character, her struggling days as an outsider, and how her acting journey started.

You did multiple rounds of auditions for the role in Pyaar Hai Toh Hai. Did you ever fear that you might not get this part?

Paanie Kashyap: I felt hopeful about getting the part because I received positive feedback from everyone after my audition. I was confident, but I still felt some uncertainty and nervousness, knowing that many people had auditioned for the same role and that the filmmakers were looking for semi-known faces. In fact, I even heard that big-name actors were in the running for the role, was not sure though. Yes, it was a stressful and anxious time until I finally got the news that I had landed the part. It took around six months for everything to be finalized.

And what were your feelings when you finally got the role?

Paanie Kashyap: I was overwhelmed with emotions as I realized that my dream was finally coming true. I am not a product of any prestigious acting institute, but I have trained myself relentlessly throughout this journey and have developed the skills necessary to land this film. I have attended workshops and honed my craft, so this was truly a proud moment for me. However, I am also aware of the need to continue working hard and improving my skills so that I do not let myself or anyone else down.

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Tell us something about your character in Pyaar Hai Toh Hai.

Paanie Kashyap: This movie is about unconditional love and friendship. We are brought up in different ways and later in life we get exposed to so many things, like social media, friends, and different point perceptions of people. The character I’m playing, Nimmo, wants to live her life to the fullest, and wants to know and try everything. Nimmo is a happy-go-lucky person.

Do you wish you had any qualities/traits of Nimmo?

Paanie Kashyap: Despite the challenges she has faced due to lack of exposure, Nimmo’s honesty and straightforwardness are what I admire most about her.

You debuted with another debutante, that too a son of a famous singer. How was your experience of working with Karan Hariharan?

Paanie Kashyap: Amazing! We shared the same energy levels, came prepared to the sets, took our job seriously, and worked on our characters. Working with such a hardworking co-actor pushes and motivates you to bring out your best. Karan kept his personal identity as the son of Hariharan aside. We connected very well with each other as Nimmo and Arman.

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It’s difficult for outsiders to get a breakthrough in the film industry. Tell us about an incident or moment where you felt discouraged/disappointed.

Paanie Kashyap: There have been many instances that have motivated me to pursue my dreams. My father’s words of encouragement whenever I felt down have kept me going. My family’s moral support has been invaluable. Additionally, whenever I have faced criticism or negativity, I have used it as fuel to prove myself. Coming from a small town where big dreams are often looked down upon, I have never backed down. I have persevered with courage and determination.

And an incident or moment that gave you the courage to keep following your dreams.

Paanie Kashyap: Yes, I have faced rejection multiple times. I feel making and breaking is a part of life. In fact, when I didn’t get the final call even after giving an audition twice, I felt anxious and nervous. From my experience, I learned that it’s important to never wait for anything. Things will eventually fall into place when the right time comes. The only thing you can do is keep working hard every day.

Let’s rewind the clock… How did your acting journey begin?

Paanie Kashyap: It wasn’t easy for me because I had no idea how to start or get into the industry. I used to sing in my school days and was fascinated by people on TV, which sparked my interest in acting. I come from a small town, so taking acting courses or training wasn’t readily available. I was always waiting for the right opportunity, unaware of my own journey. I started my career as a newsreader during my college days, which gave me exposure and led to some ad roles. Since then, my journey has begun.

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Was your family supportive of your dreams of becoming an actor from the beginning?

Paanie Kashyap: I am from Bokaro, Jharkhand, and was raised by my grandparents. After my 10th grade, I moved to Surat, where my parents live. I always wanted to become an actor, but I didn’t know how to share my aspirations with my parents. I come from a middle-class family, and no one in my family has ever been in the acting field or even considered it as a career.

Everyone in my family is from an educational background, like my sister, who is a doctor, and my brother, who is a software engineer. Telling my parents that I wanted to be an actor was like dropping a bomb. It was quite challenging to convince my family, but slowly and gradually, when I started working as a news anchor along with my studies, they began to believe in my potential. Since then, they have been very supportive.

What are your expectations from your debut feature film Pyaar Hai Toh Hai?

Paanie Kashyap: I do not expect anything from anyone. I have always been practical in that regard. I believe in working hard and earning more work through merit. I am always confident, but I also believe in continuous improvement. Therefore, I feel that I will eventually get work after each project. However, the important thing for me is how well I perform and how much better I become with each character that comes my way. I want to deliver a wide range of performances and collaborate with talented directors who create compelling content.