Exclusive: Actress Neha Dandale on her journey in the Hindi and Marathi TV industry, tough phase in life and playing Lalan in Chandramukhi

Renowned actress Neha Dandale has become an inspiration for all with her powerful journey. The actress who made her name in the Hindi and Marathi TV industry recently mesmerized everyone with her acting skills in the Marathi film Chandramukhi. Neha played the role of Lalan in the film. In an exclusive chat with ETimes TV, Neha spoke about her journey in the industry, her accident, starting her career in television, featuring in Hindi TV shows like Naagin, Molki, etc, and much more.

- Interview by Vaishnavi Gavankar

Neha Dandale had a major accident before entering the industry but her family's support helped her to enter the industry. Neha said, "I met with an accident but I had really big dreams. I wanted to go to Mumbai to make my career in this field. I had no idea about anyone nor I would know anyone but I wanted to come to Mumbai. I came to Mumbai with my mother and I still had accident wounds on me but my mother would protect me while traveling and do so much for me during that tough phase"

"I came to Mumbai but the real struggle began. I did not get any room and after a lot of struggle I found one room but we had no option and I and mother would live in that room. Later, I started getting TV serials and other plays and dramas and I shifted to a better place".

Neha stated that she would visit the office of Ekta Kapoor every day for work and had a dream to work in Ekta Kapoor's production. She said, "Even after working in various commercial dramas and plays, I had one dream to work with Ekta Kapoor's production. It was such a big name and I had heard someone saying 'Waha Jane se life bann jaati hai'. I would visit the office every day and there was a dropbox outside the office where we would drop our portfolios. I thought I was the only one so I asked a woman who was there outside the office and she told me that tons of portfolios people drop in that box. I was surprised. I was waiting for their call but it didn't happen. I later started working with other big production houses."

Neha Dandale is a known face of Marathi TV and she said that Marathi TV changed her life. She said, "I have worked in various Marathi TV shows. In fact, Avaghachi Ha Sansar was my first TV show with Prasad Oak. I was so thrilled to work with him. I never thought after 10 years I would do a film like Chandramukhi with him. My career in the industry came on track"

Neha has also become a known face on Hindi TV and she said that she can't believe that now she sits for narrations with Ekta Kapoor for her shows. She said, "After working much in Marathi, I went to Hindi TV. I finally got the call from Ekta Kapoor's production. I did several TV shows of Ekta Kapoor including Naagin 5, Molki, etc. I also got nominated for the best acting for the TV show Kasam Tere Pyar Ki. I never looked back then. I continued to work in Hindi and it really changed my life. I just can't believe that ten years ago I would visit Ekta Kapoor's office everyday for work, and now I sit with her for the narrations of her shows. I am always thankful to Ekta Kapoor and her production for giving me chance to portray my talent through her different shows"

Neha further said that she feels really blessed that she has got a friend-like parent like Dayanand Shetty in her life. She said, "In my tough phase along with my mother, actor Dayanand Shetty and my friend Prachi helped me and I am always indebted to them"

Neha Dandale played the role of Lalan in the Marathi film Chandramukhi and her performance is widely praised by everyone. Sharing her excitement, she said, "I got a call from Prasad Oak during the lockdown for his film Chandramukhi. Prasad's wife Manjiri Oak first referred me for this role. They said they have the role of Lalan in the film and I would play it better. I immediately agreed and was so happy. Prasad is really talented and he had arranged workshops for us and took really good care of us even during the COVID19. I am so happy that I could be a part of Chandramukhi and play the role. I just want to tell everyone that keep dreaming, and never stop dreaming, I believed in my dreams and worked hard to achieve them. Everyone must do it"