“My Role Here Is Different but Refreshing”: Actress Manisha Purohit on Stepping Away from Comedy
Actress Manisha Purohit, who is currently seen as Malini Bua in the popular show Suman Indori, opens up about her experience on the show, her character’s graph, and the leap with twists. Produced by Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah, Suman Indori has managed to captivate audiences with its relatable storyline and engaging drama.
Speaking about her time on the show, Manisha shares, “It’s like a family. The time we’ve spent with the Suman Indori team has been truly extraordinary and wonderful. We relate closely to a very common audience through our characters. It’s a story of a middle-class or lower-middle-class family, struggling with everyday challenges. Suman takes on the responsibility of handling everything, and despite the hardships, the journey has been amazing and so much fun. I’ve truly enjoyed being a part of this.”
On the trajectory of her character Malini Bua, Manisha admits, “Yes, I feel like my character graph is fine, but not quite what I expected. I usually set higher expectations for comedy because that’s my genre. But here, my character is more of a positive, supporting one rather than a comic one. Normally, in all my previous roles, I have always made the audience laugh. In this show, my role in creating laughter has been a bit limited. However, stepping into a supportive role has brought a refreshing change. People are used to seeing me in comedic roles, often with a negative twist. Now, portraying a positive and supportive character, I’m getting a great response from the audience, and I’m happy with that.”
Manisha expresses, “All our expectations were really high when we took the leap in the show. The way Suman and Teerth separated and the challenge that our Sumi has taken on to destroy Teerth Mittal, makes this story incredibly intense. The politics that caused Rishi and my brother to die, leaving these kids without their father and brother, is now something Suman has stepped into, despite once hating it. The drama is full of twists and turns, making it both entertaining and impactful for the audience.”
Manisha clarifies, “There are minor changes in my look post leap, but nothing drastic. The characters remain the same.”
Manisha credits the show’s dedicated audience for its success, recalling a memorable experience. “We were shooting the promo for the post-leap segment at an open roadside location near a temple in Film City. Many visitors and onlookers gathered around to watch, and to my surprise, several of them turned out to be die-hard fans of Suman Indori. Their love for the characters and their excitement was evident. That moment made me realize how strong and loyal our audience is. I truly believe this loyal fan base will continue to grow.”
On maintaining her artistic integrity while adapting to industry demands, Manisha confidently states, “I’m someone who goes with the flow. I see staying true to my artistic vision and keeping up with industry trends as equal. I know who I am and how to present myself. Being a theatre personality and having worked in the industry for 32 years, I’ve seen everything. I can balance these aspects very well, and I don’t see any difference between them. I’m very much okay with everything.”
