Pankhuri Awasthy: It feels nice to portray the Sultan of Delhi

Pankhuri Awasthy might be playing the character of Razia Sultan in the new show by the same name, but she isn’t bothered about comparisons or getting typecast. The actress was recently in Delhi to promote the show and spoke to us about playing a historical character and her Delhi connect. Excerpts from a chat:
From Delhi to Bangalore to Mumbai
I was a student of Bluebells International for about four years and then I finished my graduation from Hindu College.My college life was like a dream. It feels quite nice that I am portraying a character who was the Sultan of Delhi. It’s a very different feeling, something which I can’t express. I was a sincere student and didn’t bunk many classes. We would finish our assignments in Kamla Nagar. Our favourite hangout joints were D-School and Stephen’s College. It’s been two years since I passed out. While studying in Hindu, I got placed with a company based in Bangalore.
READ: Pankhuri Awasthi follows Hema Malini for 'Razia Sultan'
In Hindu, I was a part of the drama society. Apart from the college dram soc, I did a lot of plays with other professional theatre groups. Acting was always on the cards but, I didn’t know how to make a breakthrough. I worked with a corporate firm and joined a theatre society in Bangalore. I did one episode of Yeh Hai Aashiqui while working in Bangalore and that’s how I got noticed. I moved to Mumbai only about three months back. I was doing Fanaah’s season two before I was signed for Razia Sultan.
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Becoming Razia
It has its challenges. I was playing a contemporary character in Fanaah who was like a patakha in college and a very seedhi-saadi ladki at home. The challenge with playing Razia is that the costumes are heavy and the jewellery gives me rashes in the hot weather. I think the heaviest costume weighs around 15-20 kgs! The headgear is really heavy and one can’t wear it for more than five minutes but I have to shoot wearing it. Even after I remove it, I can feel the weight on my head. I am completely bruised because of the training I am undergoing for the show – right from horse riding, sword fighting to Urdu diction.
Bagging the role
It was after three-four auditions that I was finalized to play the role. I have done my research, read about the Slave Dynasty and I remember its hierarchy now. I saw the movie Razia Sultan and I have even learnt the songs. More than me, my parents were excited that I am doing a character that was played by Hema Maliniji. I am definitely going to make my mark.
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WATCH: SRK lends his voice to Razia Sultan