#manavgohil

February 29, 2024 I Richa Devesar I Filmyy People

Imagine the light in parents’ eyes when their child achieves something extraordinary. Meet this genius who's not just dreaming of making her parents proud but has already done it and that too at the tender age of six which most of kids can just dream of and infact why just kids..we grownups too. Yes that’s exactly what this Wonder kid has done. This little entertainer has captured the hearts of millions as Dabangi Arya in Sony TV’s serial Dabangi. You’ve got to see her to believe her..what a natural and effortless actor is she.  Although, the serial has taken a leap and so has her character, but her fans still miss this cutie Dabangi and trust me I’m one of them.

At an age where most kids are not even able to write properly, this little wonder is walking red carpets, receiving awards, getting clicked with fans, shooting back-to-back and signing autographs. At an age where kids find it difficult to learn a single sentence, this girl learns a script of 20-25 pages everyday and that too with no hassle. Kids her age have to be forced to get ready to go to school whereas this star kid moves from one set to other, gives shot after shot without being difficult. Actually, this Chhota Packet Badaa Dhamaka (that’s what you can call this magical and super energetic and enthusiastic kid) kinda girl is not just playing a character but is inspiring kids and adults alike, showing that age is just a number when it comes to talent and dedication.

It won’t be an exaggeration if I say that watching Maahi Bhadra playing Dabangi Arya is not like watching a serial but feels like beginning of a new chapter in entertainment, led by a little girl with a big dream and an even bigger talent. I have watched her performing and seeing her, I thought she must be 10-12 years of age but I got shock of my life when her mom told me that she is just 6 years old. Its rare…the kind of understanding of character, dedication, positivity and energy she has.

I can go on and on talking about Maahi Bhadra but let me share my telephonic conversation with Maahi Bhadra and her Mom Devyaani Bhadra and let you know more about this talented girl. After talking to both of them, I must salute her Mom (alongwith Maahi) for 24/7 dedication, support and guidance. Its not an easy task preparing her for a character, recording auditions, helping her with learning dialogues, being on set with her all the time, taking her from one location to other for shoots, auditions, mock shoots, promos etc. but Maahi’s mother does it all…that too with a smile on her face because this is what makes Maahi happy. So here the conversation goes….

Hi Mahi! I’m really surprised to know that you are just 6 years old and so so talented….

‘Hiiiiii! Hehheheeh….Thankyouuuuuuu’. Her giggle was so familiar and infectious at the same time.

Okey, tell me which class you are in and in which school you study?

I am in Senior KG and study in Royal International School.

Achha,  I don’t think aapne acting seekhi hai but still I want to ask, have you learnt acting from any institute or something?

Nahi, maine acting seekhi nahi hai (No, I have not learnt acting)

You haven’t learnt acting still you’re such a natural on screen. But then from where did this idea of acting come to your mind?

From my sister and Papa. When I was younger, whenever they would go out for audition, I used to accompany them infact I used to make sure that they don’t go without me. Heheh…

Oic!  Your sister and father are also actors?

‘Yes!’ And her Mom then tells me that her father Devendra Bhadra is also an actor who’s acted in serials like Kundali Bhagya, Dabangi , Shastri Viruddh Shastri and Jaghanya  (Marathi) alongwith many more. And her sister Jeeya Bhadra who is 13 years old now made her debut as a child artist in the serial Veera at the age of 2 and a half years and did serials like Aarambh, Shakuntalam etc but now she has taken a break from acting and is preparing for her Muay Thai (Martial art) competition.

What do you have to say about Maahi’s enthusiasm and dedication for her work.

Maahi’s Mom replies ‘She is always ready to act. I don’t have to convince her or anything. To act.. Is her wish, her dream, her passion. Infact so many times, I have to think but she is always ready to shoot and record an audition so much that even at 2am, she will insist that No Mom lets do it now and send it. Actually, being her mother, its so natural for me to appreciate her but if I look at her from a distance she is a very enthusiastic and dedicated. She leaves a mark wherever she goes. Everyone who meets her says, this child is god gifted, she is mind blowing. And as far as this serial Dabangi is concerned, she was selected out of 120 kids.

Wow Maahi! That true?

‘Yes….absolutely! Mujhe acting karna bahut achha lagta hai’ (I love acting) and you know yesterday only I was shooting where I played a Punjabi boy and really had a great time.

Do you find it difficult to act sometimes, bringing out different emotions one after the other. How do you manage to do it?

‘Actually we have a team with us. They tell me, make me understand.. that now you have to laugh, now you have to cry..toh ho jata hai rona (so that’s how I cry).’ (See, its that easy for her.)

Do you remember your first audition?

Yes, ofcourse I gave my first audition at the age of 4 and I remember that it was for Jai Hanumaan serial on Dangal TV in which I played the role of Bhoori..Bhoori (and she giggles). Her Mom then explains that the serial, based on Lord Hanumaan had a group of kids and she was the one whom Lord Hanumaan would always carry on his shoulders.

And what other serials you did after Jai Hanumaan?

After Jai Hanumaan, I did Ali Baba - Dastaan-e-Kabul which used to come on Sony Sab and I played Haida in it. And her mother elaborates on this and tells me that she had a very important role in this serial. Also, the producers were so happy with her performance that her role got extended. And no one would believe that just one day after she finished Ali Baba she started shooting for Janam Janam Ka Sath. And for this I give all the credit to Maahi because she did not bother to take a break but was more than just excited to start her new serial.

Maahi, are you able to remember all your dialogues. Because as your Mom just told me, you get 20-25 pages script everyday. Do you forget your dialogues sometimes?

‘Arrey do minute mein yaad ho jata hai, ho jata hai mujhse sab’’. (I learn my dialogues in just 2 minutes, I am able to do everything.) Actually, I don’t take much time to learn my dialogues..i read it once and it gets into my head and I don’t find learning my dialogues difficult. And sometimes, if I forget, our team is there to prompt me and then I recall it. Her mother adds that 99% of her shots are done in one take.

How do you manage studies and acting?

Her Mom says that she is not able to attend her school regularly but her teachers are very cooperative. And Maahi is equally serious about her studies as she completes each and every worksheet given to her on time. And moreover, she gets time to study even on sets.

Now tell me Maahi, who are your favourites in Dabangi?

I love everyone Gud Kaaki, Jhakkas Kaka, Ikya, Bhoplya, Aju baba, Aaji everyone. But yes I am very close to Manav Sir, Kasturi Mam and Tanmay. Although in the serial, he is my enemy but in real life he is a good friend. We all alongwith Gud Kaaki used to make lot of reels. And Manav Sir loves me so much. Her mother adds that offscreen also, Manav Sir and Maahi are like father-daughter…he always calls her ‘my darling’ . Although Maahi is no longer in the serial as it has taken few years leap, but he often comments on her posts and in that case even her producer and director often join in whenever she is live on Instagram. Just the other day, we had gone to meet everyone at the shoot….they all stopped shooting and welcomed Maahi with so much love. Its not a small thing to leave shooting and welcome us. Actually, all the Unit gives Maahi so much love that we feel blessed.

Few days back, I read that Rachana Mistry who is playing big Arya (after it took 14 years leap) said in an interview that young Arya has set high standards for her. How was it listening to this complement?

I was very very very very happy to read that and shared it on my instagram as well. Her mother adds that Rachana Mistry told her that for the very first time she has to do her homework, she has to look at the previous episodes to see Arya’s personality and her reactions on different situation. She has given me a challenge. That is such a big complement for Maahi.

Maahi…especially after Dabangi everyone knows you, they appreciate you so much. So what do you think about all this love from people?

Yes, I enjoy it so much and thank all my audience for the appreciation and love and now I want to work with Amitabh Bachchan. That’s my dream.

O wow! I hope this wish of your reaches Mr. Bachchan and you get to work with him soon. Maahi, you are, I think the only actress who has done so many promos for almost all Sony serials going on with Dabangi. How did you manage it?

Ohhh I loved doing those promos and had a great time shooting them. And her Mom says that she had to devote a lot of time for that..because after finishing her promos she used to shoot for Dabangi. Also around that time only, she was called by Jhalak Dikhla Ja Team to record a promo....and everyone loved her in that too.

Okey Maahi, you are a known face now so do people ask you for a picture or autograph? Yes, wherever I go, people say.. Oh ye toh dabangi hai… (that’s Dabangi)and they click picture with me and autograph….yes Manav (Gohil) Sir asked me for an autograph once. I felt so nice.

Maahi, you are doing so much of work…don’t you feel lazy at times?

Mujhe sab badhiya lagta hai! (I find all this so good) No, never..it has never happened. That’s because I enjoy acting so much. Infact, I always look forward to shoot. Her Mom adds that she never feels lazy infact all the time she is very excited to do new things..play new characters and never feels bored.

Now tell me, what do you like to do when you are at home like…. when you are not shooting?

When I’m home, I like to do painting and love playing with my elder sister Jeeya and my friends. We often go downstairs and play badminton and hide and seek with friends and I play indoor games with Jeeya Didi, my elder sister.  I love all my friends and enjoy a lot with them and they also feel very happy whenever I go to play with them because most of the time I’m shooting but still I manage to take out time for my friends. Her Mom adds that she knows what she has to do and manages her time well. She gives importance to each and every thing be it studies, shooting, playing, friends etc. She has a very normal upbringing and that’s the reason she never shows attitude to anyone. Like she is very fond of making Rangoli so whenever she makes one, she calls her friends and show them. And she likes to be at home when not shooting and loves to eat home made food. That reminds me how the director of Dabangi serial would tease her on the set. Actually we are pure vegetarians so he used to tease her..Arrey Arya is pure vegetarians iske liye veg wala chicken mangvaao.(Get her vegetarian chicken)  

So how was her bond with the director and producer of the show?

Her Mom says that Arif Ali and Herumb Khote love Arya so much. They say that we thank God for bringing Maahi in their serial because this is the type of girl they wanted their Arya to be..and they say that they didn’t have to make any extra efforts, she was already like Arya..and we didn’t have to work much on her.