From Television to Epic Cinema: Surbhi Das Charts a Bold New Path
Actress Surbhi Das, who first captured audience attention with her performance in the television show ‘Nima Denzongpa’, is now strategically forging a fresh career trajectory beyond the small screen. After her notable appearance in ‘Pandya Store’, Das has deliberately pivoted towards exploring opportunities on digital platforms and in cinematic projects, including roles in ‘Carnaame’ and the highly anticipated mythological epic ‘Ramayana’.
The Challenging Transition from TV to Web and Film
In a candid conversation with Mid-Day, Surbhi Das shed light on the difficulties actors face when moving from television to other mediums. “When you are transitioning from TV to web, it’s a bit tough,” she revealed. “People tend to know you by your character names. Once casting directors find out that you’ve been part of a television show, they often hesitate to audition you further. There’s still a typical mindset about TV actors.” Das expressed gratitude that her character Nima did not become a household name, which she believes has helped her avoid being typecast.
Creative Dissatisfaction and the Decision to Leave Television
Surbhi Das clarified that her departure from television was not an impulsive move but stemmed from deep-seated creative frustration. While working on ‘Pandya Store’, she gradually realized her potential was not being fully utilized. “While doing Pandya Store, I eventually made the decision that I didn’t want to do TV anymore because I felt my talent was being wasted,” Das explained. “I felt my craft wasn’t being used enough, as I was just there giving reactions that meant nothing to me. It became very monotonous after a point, so I decided I will quit TV. I’m not looking down on TV, but I feel it follows the same pattern.”
The actress also highlighted the physically grueling nature of television production schedules, which severely impacted her personal well-being. Recalling a particularly distressing incident, she shared, “When I was working in TV, during one of my shows, I fell so sick that I had to be rushed to a doctor. The production guy even told the doctor to give me an injection so that I could get back to shooting as soon as possible. I was literally sleeping for just 2–3 hours, often on set, usually in the makeup room. I feel that once you’re doing TV, you hardly have any personal life.”
Embracing the Epic Scale of Ramayana
In her latest venture, Surbhi Das joins the cast of ‘Ramayana’, where she portrays the role of Sita’s sister and Shatrughan’s wife. Interestingly, she admitted to having little initial awareness of the project’s monumental scale during her audition process. “At that time, I couldn’t understand that this project was worth crores,” Das recalled. “But gradually, I did, and I am excited. I have seen all the people’s reactions and their feedback as well. I am sure the makers are working on it.”
Working Alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi
Reflecting on her experiences on the ‘Ramayana’ set, Surbhi Das spoke glowingly about her co-stars and the overall filming environment. She was particularly impressed by Ranbir Kapoor’s profound transformation into the character of Lord Rama. “When Ranbir Kapoor came on set, he obviously came as Rama. I literally felt like, ‘My God, this guy is actually looking like Rama.’ In all the scenes we did together, I always felt that he was in character,” she remarked. “And even for Sai Pallavi, we know she doesn’t apply much makeup, yet she was looking so pretty.”
Das elaborated on the essential qualities needed to portray such an iconic figure, stating, “To play Lord Rama, you need to have that aura and grace. When you walk on set, you need to have that energy about you that makes people look at you no matter what. And Ranbir Kapoor carried that. He had this energy and aura about him. Even when we were not doing a scene, he was in his character, as he is an introverted guy.”
Discussing her rapport with Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, Das shared, “Our bonding was really good, as we play sisters. I asked her about the South industry, and she answered very sweetly. And when the last day came, she almost got emotional.”
Ramayana: A Grand Cinematic Vision
The upcoming film ‘Ramayana’ is envisioned as a spectacular and large-scale adaptation of the revered Indian epic. The recently released teaser primarily showcases Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, accompanied by the powerful tagline, “Our hero, Our protector.” The visuals promise an expansive narrative designed for a theatrical experience, unveiled with the caption: “Rama is the greatest of all time because he lived a life where the choices he made were always in the benefit of the greater good, duty over desire, and sacrifice over self.”
Planned as a two-part saga, ‘Ramayana’ aims to present the epic tale on a global stage, featuring a historic musical collaboration between legendary composers AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including:
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram
- Sai Pallavi as Sita
- Yash as Ravana
- Ravi Dubey as Laxman
This ambitious project represents a significant milestone in Indian cinema, blending mythological storytelling with contemporary filmmaking techniques to reach audiences worldwide.
