Exclusive - Jennifer Winget on the roles she is looking forward to do after Beyhadh 2, her being a glam diva and more

Jennifer Winget, who is known for her roles in popular shows like Saraswatichandra, Beyhadh and Bepannah, recently surprised fans with her new hair transformation. As always the actress looks fab post the big change and has garnered attention on social media for her bold cherry-red hair. In an exclusive chat with ETimes TV, Jennifer shared what prompted her to experiment with her hair colour.Not just that, she also spoke about the attention she gets from her industry colleagues for her glam shoots, how she likes to style her characters and what will possibly bring her back to television.
From the cute girl we saw in Shaka Laka Boom Boom to breaking the mould with roles like Maya Mehrotra in Beyhadh or Zoya Siddiqui in Bepannah, you've had a chance to play diverse characters even on TV. What do you think will now get you back to it given that there's a lot happening on the digital now?
It's been a pretty long but a wonderful journey so far. And honestly, I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to play diverse characters on television. So going by all of that, I definitely need a character or a story that ups all of that...something progressive and a role that I haven't played before. Without comparing the two mediums with each other, TV has its own pros and cons and its reach is inimitable. OTT, on the other hand, is the next wave that has brought in a new set of writers, actors, and directors. There's new content. It's a league in itself. Will wait and see what happens next.
You have never been shy of experimenting with the look of your characters - be it Maya or Zoya. What motivates you to do so and how challenging do you find the process?
Not challenging but I find it quite exciting to experiment with looks for each of my characters. And that's why probably I love my job so much because it allows me to reinvent myself and what I bring to a character and that has probably spilled into my personal choices as well, especially with my hair. I think my mood depends on how my hair looks and vice versa.
Talking about your hair transformation, did you think twice before going for a completely bold new look or were you up for it in an instant?
We all felt it and are still kind of feeling it...this lockdown left like a lasting impact on all of us. I wanted to break out of that cycle of monotony. The decision to change my hair colour to something bold was more as a mood-lifter. There honestly seemed like no better time to. With no access to salons or stylists and with everything shut, BBLUNT came to my rescue. For the first time, I braved this feat of colouring my hair on my own. It's the perfect red for me. It's vibrant and shiny. It makes me feel good to be back post this languishing lockdown.
What's your takeaway from the feedback you have received for your hair transformation?
It's been so overwhelming and all positive. I absolutely love it. It was a bold move to go cherry. It's the first time I have gone this red. And I don't regret it one bit. I know I am in good hands.
Be it your friend Nakuul Mehta, Sehban Azim or others in the industry, you certainly get attention for your glam photoshoots and styling. How important do you think it is to pay attention to both acting well on-screen and styling yourself both on-screen and for fans on social media?
It all comes with the territory. It's a part and parcel of being an actor. Social media is a small window into our real side but not entirely though. It gives fans a peek into us being more than the characters we play on-screen. This kind of interaction is great for anyone and not just actors. Yes, my co-stars are some of my closest friends, and have been for years. We are super supportive of each other's work and give credit where it's due. It takes a village to style me on shoots or sets and get me to look like that. Hats off to my team. Otherwise, I am all for loose, comfortable clothing.
While many have struggled during the lockdown, how did you keep yourself afloat? What were some of your biggest worries and greatest strengths during the time?
I think we've all had our ups and downs in these last few months. For nearly two whole years now, suddenly life came to a standstill for everyone globally. It took time for all of us to process this transition. The most important lesson I think we all have learnt is not to take our health for granted. Also, the support of family, friends, and fans is what has kept me going. I did dabble in painting as a stressbuster. And for the mood lifter, I even painted my hair (laughs).