I choose shows with good roles, not ratings: Ashlesha Sawant on joining Jhanak

Ashlesha Sawant, last seen in Gudiya Rani, has joined the cast of Jhanak as Arshi, one of the lead characters following the show's recent 20-year leap. Speaking about her role, she shared, “I’ve always wanted to work with producer Leena Gangopadhyay. Her characters are well-written and Arshi, being a grey role, really intrigued me.”

Commenting on the show’s shift, Ashlesha said she doesn’t base her decisions on TRPs. “Gudiya Rani didn’t chart in ratings and I played the lead role, while my negative role in Anupamaa was part of a top-rated show. I commit fully to any role I take on,” she added.

Post-leap, the story features a grown-up Jhanak living in a village. Sumeet Sachdev plays Aniruddh, Arshi’s ex-husband, and Twinkle Arora portrays their daughter. Arijit Taneja and Riya Sharma play the new leads. Ashlesha added, "I enjoy playing negative roles. I played a positive role in Gudiya Rani but now I am again playing a negative role. When I had joined Anupamaa, there were all very good actors essaying strong roles. I was not even sure that my role Barkha would connect with masses. But, gradually, my role connected with viewers and it was a challenge playing Barkha's role. So, for me playing a strong role is more important than essaying negative or positive role."

The current track focusses on how Arjit Taneja, who plays a police inspector is posted in a small village where Jhanak lives with her daughter. He has come to the village to find Prashar, who was earlier played by Gaurav M Sharma in the show.