A look at the repertoire of several female actors in Bollywood will make it seem that an industry once obsessed with fair-skinned women has taken strides to amend its ways. But, actor Sanvikaa, set to return with the third season of the comedy series, Panchayat, tells us the change is coming about at a pace that’s slower than we’d appreciate.

“The roles I get are similar to the ones I have played. Perhaps, that’s due to my dusky complexion. In the industry, if you are dusky, you are offered characters who belong to the middle-class or lower-middle-class background. This stereotyping existed earlier, and continued to exist even after the release of Panchayat,” says the actor, who plays Rinki, the daughter of the village pradhan in the Prime Video series.

She, however, adds that she is no longer perturbed by the practice. “I think I look beautiful the way I am. The audience connects with me. Their love has made me comfortable in my skin.”

The unassuming show, which released soon after the lockdown was imposed in 2020, quickly found favour among the audience. Its success led to the making of a subsequent season in 2022. Part three is up for release this week. Having collaborated with cast members Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav over the years, Sanvikaa says she has forged a bond that extends beyond professional boundaries. Working with Gupta has been of particular interest.

“If the director wants her to say a dialogue in a different way, she is able to swiftly switch her delivery to meet the requirement. I learned different ways to modulate and express the same dialogue from her.”

Sanvikaa is seen in a pivotal role in Panchayat 2 and she is basking in the success of the show. Talking about how she is feeling, she says, “Life has completely turned around.” Talking about the unexpected response, she says, “I am getting so many messages on social media. People and critics are loving the show and the characters,” she says.

Some might say it was an overnight success but she says otherwise, “It’s the tip of the iceberg. Hard work and consistency of five years has put me where I am today.”

Sanvikaa’s role is set in a village and is far from a glamorous leading lady. To bring the character to life, she even shot without makeup. Ask her if she was worried about taking up this role and she says, “I had no inhibitions playing a village girl.”

Growing up in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh helped her play Rinki as she understood the character from her own experiences. “I come from a similar background and I have seen people like Rinki around me. I am very familiar with that world, that’s why I was able to bring that to the table,” she asserts.

In the series, she worked with actors Neena Gupta and Jitendra Kumar, and says it was the “best workshop”. She adds, “Everyone was so supportive. Neena (Gupta) ma’am treated me like family and Jitendra was always there for improvisations.”

Following this successful stint, Sanvikaa wants to do a variety of roles and has an inclination towards regional cinema. “Malayalam industry and OTT has the best content right now with the way they portray women. I am open to all industries,” she concludes.