I was cast in a significant movie ‘Halad Rusali Kunku Hasale’, which defined my early career and was my turning point. Nilu Bhau was one of my co-actors; he is a renowned name in the Marathi film industry. The shoot was scheduled in the interiors of India’s Maharashtra state for almost a month. As soon as I reached the location, I was shocked to see where I’d be staying. We had to survive in makeshift rooms with no proper arrangements. I was furious to see it all, and refused to check-in. While I was standing across my room, I saw Nilu Bhau coming out from his room. He was smiling as ever with a composed look on his face. He came towards me and greeted with great enthusiasm. I shared my concerns with him and he very thoughtfully calmed me down. I was at once struck by his humility; if a man of that stature can stay in these conditions who am I to refuse. I immediately checked-in, but to my dismay my make-up artist and hairdresser ran away after looking at the hotel. I took the reins in my hands and did my own make-up and hair every day, without help. I even fainted on the set once because of the exhausting shooting schedule in those conditions. That day I learnt that you have to push yourself to reach somewhere. I give the entire credit to Nilu Bhau, who made me stay back. Had I given up on this film, I would have missed out on a great opportunity and wouldn’t have been rewarded and recognized so phenomenally in the entire Maharashtra state for that film.

I  was a part of a historical play called Raja Sanyas. It was based on Sambhaji. Yashwant Dutt was playing the role of Sambhaji and Mr.Janardhan Sohni was playing Kabji, the advisor. I was essaying the role of Tulsi, the love interest of Sambhaji in the play. We were enacting the play in front of hundreds of people. In one particular scene Tulsi (my character) goes to meet Sambhaji in the enemy’s hideout. While they are together he recites a poem appreciating her beauty. He makes her sit on a bench and he sits on a chair opposite her. As soon as he sits on the chair it breaks and he falls down and gets stuck in the chair. It was a very crucial moment for us. Without leaving my character I moved forward to help him giving the impression to the stunned audiences that the particular scene was a part of the script. While I was trying to save the situation at that very moment, Mr.Janardhan said, ‘Dekha yeh dushman ka elaka hai yaha kuch bhi hosakta hai,’ and I immediately continued with my dialogue and so did Mr.Yashwant. All of us held the play with great poise. Neither did we give the audience a chance to mock, nor did we stop our performance. With great presence of mind we managed the show. As the popular saying goes, ‘The show must go on.