It’s time for people to see  my other talents: Sumona

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; June 7, 2024)

Sumona Chakravarti values her privacy and prefers to keep the focus on her work rather than her personal life. She explains, “Hamesha available ho jaao toh mystery khatam ho jaati hai. I am quite old-school in that regard. Pehle zamaane mein mystery rehti thi, jab social media nahi tha. I believe in maintaining that sense of mystery, so I prefer the era before social media. While I am fine with attention on me as an artiste, I prefer to keep my personal life private.”

Sumona is currently shooting for the 14th season of the stunt-based reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi in Romania. She says, “I have taken it on as a challenge. Being an adventure and adrenaline junkie, I felt the urge to reignite that passion.”

The actress, who has been part of several TV shows such as Kasamh Se, Kasturi, Khotey Sikkey, Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, and Jamai Raja, is today more known as Kapil Sharma’s wife Manju from his comedy show. Often, a popular role can overshadow an artiste’s other work. Does she feel the same way?

“Yes, it has been overshadowed because many know me only from Bade Achhe Lagte Hain or as Manju from Comedy Nights With Kapil. It has been a bit of a speed bump, but I am also repositioning myself by telling people that I have a body of work and am eager to take up different characters,” she replies.

Since Manju has been a much-loved character, was she disappointed when she wasn’t called to join the cast of the OTT version of Kapil’s show?

“Not at all. After wrapping up the season on TV last July, I got busy networking and auditioning. When I found out about the show, it didn’t matter because koi khoon ka rishta thodi hai ki hum kahiin aur zindagi mein kaam nahi karenge kisi aur ke saath, aur yahin karenge. Honestly, I am on a different journey and in a different mindset. That’s a very talented group of people, and I think it’s time for people to see my other talents,” she concludes.