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Got it right…
The person whose face comes to mind after hearing this line is 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain' fame Shubhangi Atre. In this year's Struggle Story, we have included their stories.
Born in Madhya Pradesh, Shubhangi's first dream was to become an actor, but it was forbidden in the family. In a family full of doctors and engineers, acting was considered the worst profession. 21 year old Shubhangi was married while she was still completing her graduation.
It is said that dreams can be fulfilled at any time and situation. Shubhangi also did the same. She started her career after becoming the mother of a daughter. Today she is famous in every household with the name and character of Angoori Bhabhi.
At 2 pm, Shubhangi is telling this story sitting at her manager's house in Malad East, Mumbai. As a matter of little formality, we asked him the first question.
Tell me about your family?
Shubhangi says, 'I was born on 18 April 1981 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. We are three sisters, we have no real brother. This was the reason why we did all the small and big household chores. Papa always supported me in these things. He assured us that we could do anything.
My first dream was to become an actor, but there was no one in my entire family in this profession. All the cousins are also doctors or engineers. This was the reason why when the family came to know about his becoming an actor, they did not support him. However, today my parents are very happy seeing my success in this field.
Shubhangi with parents during the award ceremony.
You got married at a young age. Any special reason for this?
She said, 'Yes, I was 21 years old when I got married. There was no such special reason. At that time I was doing MBA. It used to happen in Brahmin families in Madhya Pradesh that as soon as the girl went to her graduation, preparations were started to find a groom for her. For this reason I also got married. After marriage I came to Pune. After this, she gave birth to daughter Aashi at the age of 22.
Before marriage, I had shot an ad for Bhaskar TV. It can be said that Bhaskar Group gave me my first break, for which I am thankful even today.
After some time, I shot an ad for a shampoo brand in Pune. I got Rs 2500 for this shoot. The photographer who did the shoot told me- Your face is like a heroine's. You should definitely try acting.
I didn't know that auditions take place in Pune. The photographer himself told this. Then I gave an audition. Don't know how that audition reached Ekta Kapoor. She was very impressed with my work.
Earlier I was going to get a job in the TV show Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, but later I got a job in 'Kasauti Zindagi Ki'. Here I used to get Rs 3000 every day. Luckily there was no shortage of work after this.
Shubhangi (in Laal Ghere) played the character of Palchin Verma in the TV show Kasauti Zindagi Ki. Shweta Tiwari played the lead role in this show of Ekta Kapoor.
How difficult was it to leave your little daughter and go to work?
In response he said, 'It was really very difficult. Even today I regret being away from my daughter due to work. This is not easy for any mother, but it has to be done for work. I also had to do this. Aashi was 11 months old when I came to Mumbai for work.
As she grew up, every month I regretted not being able to attend Aashi's parents' meeting. I managed it with great difficulty and went 1-2 times.
Whenever I get a chance, I look at her old photographs, then I feel that I have not seen so many beautiful days of her childhood. Perhaps I will regret not being able to spend a lot of time with him for the rest of my life.
Although Aashi has always understood me. She says- Mom, it's okay. The lifestyle I am living today has become possible only because of you.
This is the reason why I rarely go to parties etc. Whatever time I get, I spend with Aashi.
Shubhangi with daughter Aashi. Shubhangi had shared these pictures on her social media account.
How was Mumbai's struggle?
Shubhangi says, 'She left her daughter with her husband and family and came to Mumbai. Like common people, I also faced problems in living and eating here. I was just happy that I didn't have to run from pillar to post for work.
Initially she used to share the room with some girls. She used to use her phone as a prop during shooting, for which she got Rs 150. Apart from this, I used to buy 2 bottles of milk for the whole day, which also removed the tension of food.
Today there is freedom that actors take shifts as per their wish, but earlier it was not so. There were shifts of 18 hours each. I have a record of working continuously for 72 hours. During the second show Kasturi, I used to go for shooting on Tuesday or Wednesday and go back home on Friday or Saturday. I don't know how many struggles have to be overcome like this. It was clear in my mind from the beginning that I wanted to become an actor. Because of this, whatever conflict came up, he faced it boldly.
Shubhangi said, 'I took a break from TV from 2013 to 2015. It was not that there were no offers for work, I just wanted a little break.
Don't you fear being typecast after being a part of the show 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain' for so long?
Shubhangi said, 'No, I don't think so at all. I myself cannot believe how I have been doing this show for 8 years. The reason for being associated with it till now is that the character of Angoori is very good. I enjoy this character every day. Didn't get bored of it even after a long time.
Shubhangi plays the role of Angoori Bhabhi in Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain. He is a part of this show since 2016.
What to say on comparison with Shilpa Shinde?
Initially, Shilpa Shinde played the character of Angoori Bhabhi in the show 'Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain', but within 10 months, she was fired due to differences with the makers. Then Shubhangi was cast in her place. Regarding this, Shubhangi says, 'I knew that there would be comparison.
The show's producer Binaifer S Kohli had told me that we needed someone else for this character and there could not have been anyone better than you for it. When I also read the news in the paper that another artist is being searched for Angoori Bhabi in the show, I knew that I will be a part of it.
When I was cast in the role, I didn't think anything else. Just kept doing my work with honesty.
Shubhangi with ex-husband Piyush Poore.
Special reason for separation from husband after 19 years?
Shubhangi married Piyush Poore in 2003, but the couple separated after 19 years of marriage. On this Shubhangi said, 'All I would say is that I wanted to part on a good note. I didn't want this relationship to end badly. At present I am single and happy in my work.
