One of the most loved and celebrated actresses of Indian television, Erica Fernandes, needs no introduction. Having bagged several titles including ranking first in The Times 20 Most Desirable Women on Hindi Television 2020, Erica is up for everything upwards and onwards with her career, trusting herself and her talent to sail the boat of life in the right direction.
Over the years, she has given us some noteworthy performances in popular daily soaps like ‘Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi’ and ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay’ and currently, she can be seen breaking free from the ideal bahu image in her latest horror-thriller release ‘The Haunting’. Apart from being loved for her acting chops on-screen, she is also the talk of the town for her fashion game and style, and has multiple fan clubs dedicated to her.
In this exclusive conversation, the gorgeous diva opens up about being body-shamed, the importance of taking a break, ‘The Haunting’, moving to Dubai and much more…
You’re one of those few celebrities who’ve opened up about being body shamed in their initial years in the industry. How does that take a toll on a woman with regards to how she views herself when she stands in front of the mirror? And most importantly, will society’s obsession with dictating women’s bodies ever end?
Body shaming is a very real issue that many women face in the entertainment industry. It can be an incredibly damaging experience that can have long-term effects on how a woman sees herself in the mirror. Fortunately, there are celebrities who have been open about their own experiences with body shaming, and this can be a source of strength and inspiration for other women. By hearing these stories of resilience, it can give us hope that we too can overcome our own struggles with body shaming and learn to love ourselves for who we are. In recent years, society has become increasingly obsessed with dictating what women’s bodies should look like. From magazines to Instagram influencers, it seems like everywhere we turn there is an unrealistic standard of beauty being pushed on us. This obsession not only affects men & women’s physical and mental health, but also their self-esteem and confidence. It’s time for us to take a stand and ask ourselves: Will this obsession ever end?
Your on-screen chemistry with your ‘Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi’ co-star Shaheer Sheikh has earned immense love from the audience, so much so, that they don’t want to see you cast opposite any other actor, and there aren’t many such reel pairs that the audience adores so much. How overwhelming is that for you?
Shaheer and I have shared an undeniable on-screen chemistry which has been appreciated by the audience. It is overwhelming to know that many of our fans don’t want to see us cast opposite any other actor. We have enjoyed every moment of working together but having said that, as actors, we need to work with different co-stars as well in order to explore our craft and grow as performers. It is important for us to challenge ourselves and push our boundaries in order to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry.
You essayed the role of Prerna Basu in the reboot of Ekta Kapoor’s 2001 ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay’ after 17 years it was first made. Since it was one of the most popular love sagas of Indian television, was there an added pressure since you had huge shoes to fill?
Prerna Basu’s role in the popular Indian television show “Kasautii Zindagii Kay” after 17 years was a challenging one. The show had become an iconic love saga and was beloved by generations of viewers. As such, there was pressure to live up to the name of the show and portray Prerna’s character with authenticity. However, since the show was made for a different generation, there was a slight bit of pressure as it was my first project with Balaji.
For someone who’s been a part of the industry for a decade, how necessary is it at times to take a break in between shows, especially when you’re doing television?
Being a TV actor can be extremely demanding and stressful, especially when you’re working 12 hours a day, plus travel time for 25-28 days a month. This means that it is essential to take regular breaks in order to stay healthy and maintain your sanity. Taking regular breaks allows you to spend quality time with your loved ones, travel, and explore new places. It also helps you to recharge and come back to the set with renewed enthusiasm and energy.
Speaking of which, the last time we saw you on the silver screen was when you reprised the role of Dr. Sonakshi Bose in the third season. Is this a planned break from not doing any more television shows for the time being?
Indian daily soaps have been a part of the global entertainment industry for many years now. While it is true that these soaps have been criticised for their melodramatic storylines, they still remain popular among viewers from all over the world. Although I have been offered a few opportunities to be part of a couple of shows, I am yet to find something that truly challenges me. As an actor, I am always looking for projects that will push me and help me grow as an artist. That is why I haven’t taken any of the offers yet.
We’re seeing many more digital platforms apart from Netflix and Amazon Prime that are coming up with different sorts of content. Have you ever felt that everyone is focused on being a part of the race rather than looking at the quality and value of content they create?
It’s true that in today’s world, content creation is a necessity. But no one is really putting a gun to your head and asking you to do it. It’s your choice whether you want to create content just for the sake of it or you want to create something with quality and value.
Your latest horror-thriller release “The Haunting” shows you in a never-seen-before role. Breaking free from the ideal bahu image, you challenged yourself with something extraordinary. According to you, how important is it for actors to experiment with their roles and craft?
Actors are always looking for ways to challenge themselves and explore new roles. Breaking away from the traditional image of an ideal bahu, I have pushed myself to the limits with my latest horror-thriller. It is important for actors to experiment with their roles and craft in order to break out of a monotonous routine and be able to grow as performers. And like you mentioned that “The Haunting” has shown a never-seen-before side of me. I have put in immense effort and dedication into this role, which I hope has not gone unnoticed.
I want to be someone’s Prerna who wants to break free from the conventional mould and explore something new.
Lastly, your life has been divided into two residences – India and Dubai, and it’s always nice to explore new opportunities in personal and professional life. Now that you’ve worked in Dubai as well, how different is it working outside India and has that shift changed you as a person?
Moving to a new country is both exciting and challenging. For me, shifting to Dubai was an opportunity to explore new possibilities and push my professional boundaries. I had been comfortable in India, but I wanted to challenge myself and grow beyond my comfort zone.
The idea of shifting to Dubai has inched closer since then, as I have gained more experience and opened up to more opportunities for growth. As a result, it has changed my perspective on the importance of taking risks and pushing myself out of the comfort zone if I want to achieve success in life.
