This actress became a star despite being from lower-middle-class family.
Sunita Rajwar grabbed everyone's attention with the TV show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. But it was her roles in the web series Panchayat, Gullak that boosted her career. She has worked in TV, web series, and Bollywood films.
Even though she’s been in many movies, it was her role as Kranti Devi in Gullak and Panchayat that brought her major recognition. Recently, she shared her personal story and struggles with the audience and revealed how she became a star despite being from a lower-middle-class family.
1. Early life
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Sunita, born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, was raised in a small town in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. She spent the first 25 years of her life there. Her father was a truck driver and she was ashed of her father's proffession during childhood.
2. When she was asked of her father's profession
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While talking to Digital Commentary, Sunita recalled, “Back then I couldn’t understand the depth of the fact that my father was a truck driver and he is making us study in such a big institution.”
She said, "I used to feel ashamed. Kids in my school used to get dropped off by their drivers and they got freshly-made food during lunch by a staff so in a school like this how can I say my father is a truck driver."
3. Performed at Ramleela
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Sunita mentioned that she had a passion for dance from childhood. She described Haldwani as such a small town that apart from Ramleela, there weren't many activities.
During her childhood, she used to dance at Ramleela. Later on, Sunita moved to Nainital.
4. Took break from acting
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Sunita Rajwar had to take a break from her acting career due to being typecast in domestic helper roles. She felt blessed to play Bittu's mother in Gullak and Kranti Devi in Panchayat, roles that earned her a new fanbase.
“I had seen many of my senior artists who started saying that it doesn't matter, this much money comes every month. So, I thought that I didn't want to become that person who thinks that even if I am just standing for work, it doesn't matter, the money comes anyway because then you get used to it and you are needed. Then you suppress your desire and do some invaluable work. Your self-respect ends and you don't have any choice. I felt that if I didn't take care of myself now, I might also become like them," she said.
5. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
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After a series of flops in Bollywood, Sunita Rajwar starred in the hit show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai as domestic help Dhaniya which earned her recognition, however, her role in Ramayana as Manthara made her a household name.
In an interview with Indian Express, she said, “I had decided that I’ll not play a maid anymore. As an actor, you are open to doing any kind of role, but people build a different notion about how a certain type of character would be. I have gone through a lot; I didn’t want to keep doing a similar type of role again. I have been saying no to such roles for some time now, that’s also why I took a break in the first place.”
