Today, Karishma Tanna commands the screen with undeniable confidence, a celebrated figure across both television and digital platforms. However, her path to stardom was paved with initial trepidation and self-doubt. In a candid reflection on her early career, the actor has shared revealing details about her unprepared entry into the world of acting and the shaky start that eventually led to critical acclaim.
The Nerve-Wracking First Day on a Balaji Set
Recalling her debut in the iconic television show 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms, Tanna admitted to feeling completely out of her depth. In an interview with Pinkvilla, she confessed to having no technical knowledge of filmmaking when she first stepped onto the set.
"I was very nervous, I did not know the basics of shooting," she revealed. Her understanding was limited to knowing she had to speak her lines after hearing 'Roll, Camera, Action'. The nuances of dialogue delivery, camera angles, and on-set etiquette were entirely foreign to her.
Faced with this challenge, she chose to rely on her director for guidance. "I asked my director to help and guide me through. And the first shot turned out to be good enough," she said, describing that inaugural day as a crash course in learning by doing and trusting her mentors.
A 'Horrible' Audition That Somehow Worked
If her first day was daunting, her audition for the role was, by her own admission, far worse. Karishma did not mince words when describing her tryout for Balaji.
"My audition for Balaji was horrible," she stated frankly. Despite being adept at memorizing lines, the pressure of the camera caused her to falter repeatedly. "I have fumbled multiple times and it was a very ganda (bad) audition. But still, I got chosen," she recounted.
She attributed her unexpected selection to the casting philosophy of producer Ekta Kapoor. According to Tanna, Kapoor prioritizes an actor's inherent fit for a character over flawless line delivery in an audition. "Ekta ma'am does not see dialogues, she wants the actor to fit in the role, acting is then taken care of. So, I guess I fit the role and that is how I got it," she explained.
Breaking the TV Actor Stereotype
Karishma Tanna has also been vocal about challenging the industry's preconceived notions regarding television actors. In another conversation, she dismissed the outdated belief that performers from TV cannot transition successfully to films or web series.
"If the director says to do it subtly, they will do it. I don't understand that TV actors can't do films," she argued. She noted a significant and positive shift in perception, where filmmakers and digital creators now actively recognize the talent and adaptability of television artists. "Now, film people and web series people take TV actors seriously. They now realise that we are talented and that we can adapt to any given situation," she added.
Her career stands as a powerful testament to this evolution. Years after that shaky start, Tanna has successfully redefined her artistic identity. Her performance as journalist Jigna Vora in the Netflix series 'Scoop', directed by Hansal Mehta, earned her widespread critical praise.
This role culminated in her winning the prestigious Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actor (Female) for her portrayal of Jagruti Pathak. She continues to diversify her portfolio, recently making a special appearance in the 2024 series 'Call Me Bae', further solidifying her position as a versatile and respected performer in the Indian entertainment industry.
