Was the second season already on the cards when you were shooting for the first season?

The first instalment, which was a mini-series with three 10-minute episodes, was experimental. The characters of Shaurya [Ayush Mehra] and Sanya were well-received, and the show got a lot of traction, which convinced the makers to create a full-fledged season.

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How has your character developed in the second outing?

The time gap in the storyline is barely three-four days. So, there isn't much character evolution. That said, Sanya is more relatable this time. From failures to personal victories — it all seems real. Most stories idolise the protagonists, but that is not the case here. Sanya has her share of self-doubts. I tapped into my personal life to portray these emotions.

What are your personal doubts?

The constant query that plagues me is, am I doing enough? Will I be what I want to be? Am I doing it right as an actor and content creator? In corporate jobs, appraisals and performance ratings clearly indicate whether you are on the right track. As a freelance actor, these self-doubts often play spoilsport.

How do you combat them?

Though I struggle with these doubts day in, day out, I try to stay positive. Believing in myself and the universe [makes it easier to tackle them].

What, according to you, was the turning point in your career?

My entry into digital entertainment changed things for me. Before that, I was doing saas-bahu soaps. While they deserve due credit, I wasn't cut out for them. I took a risk by making this shift; dropping three years of television experience and starting from scratch was intimidating. But now, when I look back, I am glad I took the decision.

What is your long-term goal?

To be part of web shows or films wherein I get to break out of the girl-next-door image. There is a lot more to me as an actor, which has not been tapped into yet. I have largely done happy-go-lucky college kid roles. In the Netflix original, House Arrest, the directors [Samit Basu, Shashanka Ghosh] gave me complete freedom to make the character as wacky and obnoxious as I could. I want to show my versatility as an actor.

How do you cope when a show is not received well, like House Arrest?

The scariest part for a film or series is when no one watches it. While people had mixed feelings about House Arrest, it was the year's sixth most-watched content on Netflix. Liking or not liking it is up to people, you cannot please everyone.

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