Saru: Anushka Merchande learns Kabaddi within 6 hours straight; says 'I even ended up with a minor injury during the preparations'

Saru has resonated with the audience ever since its launch courtesy of its heartfelt narrative and powerful performances. However, what viewers might not know is the immense preparation and passion that the actors put into bringing each scene to life, particularly Anushka Merchande, who plays the role of Anika. One such moment that recently stood out was a kabaddi sequence between Anushka and Saru (Mohak Matkar) in the show.

The incredible effort Anushka put in to bring authenticity to the performance is definitely applause-worthy. The scene required her to play kabaddi with professional-level finesse, and she committed herself to making her body language look as authentic as possible. Anushka did a crash course in Kabaddi, training intensively with professional players over six hours to quickly understand the sport’s strategy, agility, and physicality. What’s more, is that the sequence was shot in Rajasthan’s sweltering daytime heat. Despite the extreme conditions and even sustaining a minor injury during the overnight rehearsals, Anushka powered through with grit and determination to deliver a convincing and high-energy performance.

Speaking about the experience, Anushka said, “I’ve never played kabaddi before, but I took it as a challenge and quickly began training with professional players over six hours overnight to understand the techniques and gameplay as I had to shoot for it the next day. We had overnight rehearsals and then shot the outdoor sequence in extreme heat the next day with all the safety measures, which really pushed my limits. That’s not it, I even ended up with a minor injury during the preparations, but honestly, it’s experiences like these that help you grow as an actor. I think such sequences push you out of your comfort zone and make the journey all the more memorable. I’m really grateful to the team for their support, and I hope viewers enjoy watching the scene as much as we enjoyed shooting it.”



Clearly, with actors like Anushka going the extra mile, Saru will continue to raise the bar for storytelling on television, reinforcing its heartfelt message of empowerment through education.